MARCH 5, 2014

Mercedes V6 produces '580hp' says Lauda

Niki Lauda has revealed that Mercedes' new turbo V6 engine produces "about 580" horse power.

Niki Lauda has revealed that Mercedes' new turbo V6 engine produces about 580 horse power.

It is a rare admission in the highly-secretive world of formula one, but field-leading Mercedes' F1 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 Dr Helmut Marko - of the struggling world champions Red Bull - grin.

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

(GMM)