Honda and Ferrari upgrade Formula 1 engines ahead of Canadian GP

A technical directive issued by Charlie Whiting to all the teams confirms Ferrari has used three tokens and Honda two.

AUTOSPORT understands the upgraded Honda power unit will be in the McLaren MP4-30 for this weekend's event at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

Honda chief Yasuhisa Arai confirmed after the recent Monaco GP while the system had improved driveability, it was in need of a boost in horsepower before visiting three power tracks in Montreal, the Red Bull Ring and Silverstone.

Arai said at the time: "Canada is a power circuit, so we need more power, and with heavy braking the energy recovery is also important.

"We will think about how to deliver the MGU-K power to feed that kind of fast, high-speed circuit."

Although Ferrari has also used tokens, the team has not confirmed whether its own upgraded power unit will be in evidence in Canada, as it may instead wait until Austria for its introduction.

Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene did, however, concede in Monaco his team's performance in that race glossed over the gap to rival Mercedes that was so apparent in Spain.

Mercedes scored a dominant one-two at Barcelona, spearheaded by Nico Rosberg, with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel a yawning 45 seconds off the pace.

Come the race in Monte Carlo, Vettel managed to keep long-time leader Lewis Hamilton, and in particular Rosberg, in his sights before gaining second when Hamilton pitted.

Arrivabene believes Barcelona is more reflective of a car's qualities than Monaco, so to keep pace at a track such as Montreal it will require a performance upgrade.

"Barcelona is a difficult track, the kind of track where you measure your car," said Arrivabene.

"We could have the same situation at another track similar to Barcelona, so our objective for next year is to be good there.

"If you are good there then you are good at all the tracks.

"We can't think that just because we were good in Monaco the problem is solved.

"No, it's not solved. We have to think all the time like Barcelona, and not like Monaco."

The remaining tokens available to each of the four manufacturers are:

Ferrari 7 (3 used)
Honda 7 (2 used)
Mercedes 7
Renault 12