Ferrari brings chassis and power unit upgrades to Montreal

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In its effort to bridge the gap with Mercedes, Ferrari will be introducing an engine upgrade in Canada as well as a revised rear suspension on the Scuderia's SF16-H.

The Italian outfit's power unit development - which is expected to cost three engine tokens - involves a new spec turbo, of which Sebastian Vettel will be the only beneficiary.

Ferrari is expecting the new component to increase boost and to improve deployment of the unit's Energy Recovery System.

"The hybrid system is important [in Canada], because the main straight requires to deliver all the power, and make sure that in the mixed part of the circuit you are correctly recovering the energy and getting the energy storage quite full by the time you accelerate out of the hairpin and onto the main straight," explained Mattia Binotto, the head of Ferrari's power unit department.

Supplier Shell has developed a specific fuel for the engine's new mapping and upgrade, which it will also bring to Montreal.

The Scuderia will also offer its drivers a revised rear suspension on its SF16-H chassis, the new design destined to resolve issues linked with the car's mechanical grip and the use of its Pirelli tyres.

In Monaco, Sebastian Vettel had complained bitterly at the end of Q3 qualifying, underlining how his car's handling had progressively worsened during the session, to its driver's complete astonishment.

"We know the problem is related to how our car works with the tyres," commented team boss Maurizio Arrivabene.

"We have to work and solve this problem, because if we cannot start in the top positions then we face problems that should not be ours."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.