Mercedes' engine department are still finding "huge gains" in performance despite already leading the field, but those gains are becoming increasingly difficult to find according to engine boss Andy Cowell.
Speaking to ESPN, Cowell revealed that their power unit is already producing more than 900bhp – making it Mercedes' most powerful Formula 1 engine ever – and he promises there is more to come this year.
"It's the most powerful F1 engine [we've made] with over 900bhp," explained Cowell. "It's pretty good going from this little nimble 1.6 litre engine.
"Does it get harder to find big gains? Yes it does, but there are lots of areas where small gains will come. It's a little bit like gold mining when you work bloody hard to get lots of dust and every now and again you get a nice big nugget that makes you smile. We still find those nuggets."
Mercedes are in no way satisfied with their level of performance and Cowell is predicting improvements will continue for some time.
"We have made some huge gains in the last [few] years as we have done the development and we have made good gains with the last two years of racing," he added. "I don't see that stopping and I don't think anybody here thinks we have reached the limit."
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