F1: Ferrari tops engine token spend

Ferrari has emerged as the biggest spender of power unit development tokens over the winter ahead of the new Formula 1 season.

For this season each of the four manufacturers - Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and Honda - has 32 tokens to use to develop its 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged hybrid system.

In line with the discussions that unfolded last year, and subsequent regulation changes, no area of the engine is now closed off to development. However, the four manufacturers are each restricted to a certain number of tokens to spend on areas of the power unit, which for this season is set at 32.

The FIA has confirmed Ferrari has so far spent 23 tokens, with only nine remaining to use for the remainder of the campaign.

Mercedes has used up 19, Honda 18, with Renault only seven, leaving 25 to play with, allowing it to potentially make the most gains for this season.

The French manufacturer is back in F1 this year with its own works team, and believes it has already found 0.5s of performance over the winter with its engine.

TOKEN SPEND AHEAD OF AUSTRALIAN GP

Ferrari 23 (9 remaining)
Honda 18 (14 remaining)
Mercedes 19 (13 remaining)
Renault 7 (25 remaining)

Originally on Autosport.com