Mercedes V6 turbo produces 580hp reveals Lauda

Niki Lauda has revealed that the new Mercedes V6 turbo power unit produces about 580 horse power.

It is a rare admission in the highly-secretive world of Formula 1, but field-leading Mercedes' Formula 1 Chairman wasn't giving the whole game away.

Asked to put a number on the German marque's early-season superiority, Lauda told Austrian Servus TV: "The fuel engine is about 580 horse power."

"Then there is the electrical side," he added, without elaborating.

It is known that the energy-recovery or 'ERS' side of the 'power unit' adds 160 horse power to the equation, but Lauda's figures just made fellow Austrian Helmut Marko - of the struggling world champions Red Bull - grin.

"Interesting data," Marko smiled. "I would be happy if I had 580 hp." (GMM)

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