Report reveals engine decision behind Ferrari success in Melbourne

A report is claiming that Ferrari utilised an extra 5 brake horsepower in their engine to ensure success in Australia, as Charles Leclerc extended his championship lead.

Ferrari are flying along at the moment and it is Leclerc who is making the most of it with him opening up a huge gap already on the rest of the field.

With Carlos Sainz spinning out and Max Verstappen having to retire again, Leclerc’s nearest rival is now actually George Russell in the Drivers’ standings after Australia, with the Briton a full 34 points behind the Monegasque.

Things are looking really good at the moment, then, and it sounds as though they have the capability to push their car even more if they need to, with a report from Formu1a.uno suggesting that the Scuderia actually turned their engines up by 5bhp in Melbourne to cover anything Red Bull could do.

It obviously worked, too, with Leclerc taking pole position on Saturday and then looking in control in the race on Sunday, with Max Verstappen only really threatening to take the lead after a Safety Car period.

The suggestion also has to be, then, that we’re perhaps not yet seeing the full capability of the Ferrari power unit and that, coupled with the expected car development we are set to see this season, is bound to give rival teams a few headaches.

Certainly, Ferrari look a cut above the rest in terms of speed and reliability right now and it’s going to take some effort from someone to overhaul them in the two championship fights.