Luca Marmorini, Ferrari's head of engine and electronics, has revealed that the Italian team is already testing a prototype powerplant in preparation for the introduction of the new engine formula in 2014.

"It is a very challenging period for power train people," he admitted to the Ferrari website. "We are currently working on the 2012 power train, and the rest of the season is very important. However, Nobody has mentioned that we also have to work on the 2013 engine; with the new installation that's a big work. At the same time we have the first prototype V6 running on the dyno, and this is a very interesting project.

"The 2014 regulation is extremely challenging," he continued, "a completely new Formula One power train regulation mostly focused on energy recovery, and it is an area where Ferrari wants to invest and is interested in.

"Our V6 is running at the moment and we are learning a lot of things. It's a turbo engine, a different turbo because it implies energy recovery also from the turbo compressor. We are really focused on this and we are looking forward to interpreting the rules in the right way."

With the collapse of Craig Pollock's PURE endeavour, it is widely expected that there will be just three engine suppliers when the new formula is introduced in 2014, Mercedes and Renault being the other two.