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Mercedes have officially confirmed that they have spent five engine tokens and both Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will run the new specification.
The Brackley Team hope to pull away from a resurgent Red Bull and constant threat that is Ferrari. Bidding for a third consecutive Constructor's Championship; leading 2nd place Red Bull by 159 points with nine races remaining, they are almost there.
Despite five tokens being a significant amount, the German Manufacturers did not reveal what particular areas had been improved on their new power unit.
What will be their last engine update for the 2016 Season, Mercedes will now begin to focus on the 2017 Car - especially if it can deliver performance, which pulls them even further ahead.
Japan was talked about being another chance for them to bring further updates. But circumstances have now changed by Renault recently admitting that they do not intend on spending any more tokens on their unit. Ferrari's final update is expected to be in Monza, but they only have a mere three tokens left to use. It makes strategic sense for the Silver Arrows to draw a line under the development for this year.
If Mercedes do opt to use their last six tokens, then it will more than likely result in extra grid penalties for Championship Leader Lewis Hamilton.
Williams, Force India and Manor will receive the new unit when they next require an engine change.
Current Token Usage
Ferrari 29 (3 remaining)
Honda 29 (3 remaining)
Mercedes 26 (6 remaining)
Renault 11 (21 remaining)
Written by Harry Shovelar
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Replies (3)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
They wont spend any of those 21 tokens? With that amount they could basically change the majority of the engine. I doubt Red Bull will be happy about this. Not that it matters for the next season, now that they will bury the token system, but Im pretty sure Red Bull want to remain ahead of Ferrari.
Dr Red Bull
Posts: 41
Renault's mistake during 2014 and 2015, was they were using every token for the sake of it.
Now, they only use them, when they know it will be improvement.
I can see RB beating Ferrari this year, which will be a major shock.
But, let's see what Ferrari's final update is like first
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
True, and in 2014 they didnt even know for sure how to fix their problems. In 2015 they found out too late to make any difference. It looks very possible at the moment, but we'll have to see. Its pretty fun this year isnt it? We have lots of battles between lots of teams.