Alpine's power unit chief gave a coy response when asked about his team's reported suspicions over their rivals making performance gains despite the current Formula 1 engine 'freeze'.
Teams are not allowed to make deliberate performance improvements to their current power units. But the regulations do permit changes to improve reliability – which can sometimes add extra horsepower.
Mercedes are alleged to have found around 10 extra horsepower as a result of their tinkering. Red Bull and Ferrari are also believed to have made gains on that front, with Alpine the only manufacturer on the grid going into the new season without slightly more powerful engines.
