Under pressure Renault has most tokens to use in season for development

The FIA has issued a statement this morning in Australia, indicating the number of "tokens" each manufacturer has remaining to develop their engines during the season.

And it reveals that Mercedes has already used up 78% of its available development, while Renault has used only 62%. This leaves them with some quite big development steps as the year goes on.

The rules state that manufacturers are allowed to work on potentially 92% of the power unit to develop it from 2014 to 2015, but of that 92% they must select 32 areas which they wish to develop. These are called "tokens".

Ferrari realised that there was a loophole in the regulations which meant that these developments did not necessarily have to all be made before the first race and hence the situation where there is the possibility to carry over tokens into the season to get development steps.

Mercedes have clearly wanted to start the season with a well developed unit, to take advantage of it for more races, while Renault are still catching up. Ferrari meanwhile has used 22 of its tokens and has found around 70 horsepower as well as far better drivability. This is powering both the works cars and the customer Sauber cars to be more competitive.

Honda meanwhile, as a new manufacturer this year had to homologate its engine in february, but won a dispensation to be allowed the average of the other manufacturers' tokens to develop their unit. This leaves nine tokens for them to work with, so nine areas of the engine they can develop at will during the year. They certainly need it as they have struggled for both performance and reliability so far this season.

Renault has had a tough start as well with Daniel Ricciardo already one engine down from his allocation of four for the season.

Tokens available to be used, by manufacturer

Renault 12 of 32

Ferrari 10 of 32

Honda 9 of 32

Mercedes 7 of 32