Ferrari engine situation explained as Mazzola issues warning over recovery hopes
Engineer Luigi Mazzola has shared his views on Ferrari’s performance in Miami and on the ongoing issue related to the power unit deficit compared to their rivals. His assessment is not encouraging for the Maranello-based team, as the gap to the competition appears to remain a significant limitation in the current Formula 1 season.
The Miami Grand Prix once again highlighted the clear performance deficit of the Ferrari engine compared to Mercedes power units. In fact, seven cars powered by Mercedes engines finished inside the top ten, underlining a very difficult situation for Ferrari, which is still waiting for the ADUO mechanism to become fully active so it can work more effectively on its power unit. However, according to Mazzola, a mid-season recovery is far from guaranteed.
Ferrari is believed to be around 30 horsepower behind Mercedes and should qualify for the ADUO system at the 4% threshold, a mechanism designed to assist manufacturers facing greater difficulties. This would allow the team to unlock two power unit upgrades already during this season. FIA results regarding this system are expected to be published between the Canadian Grand Prix and Monaco. From that moment, manufacturers eligible for ADUO will be allowed to modify their engines, with Ferrari reportedly planning to introduce updates most likely at Spa in July. However, whether this will be enough to close the gap remains uncertain.
Mazzola: “Working on the power unit is not simple”
Luigi Mazzola first commented on the Miami race and on the updates Ferrari brought to this Grand Prix weekend:
“They improved the car because the gaps were not as significant. At the start of the race Leclerc was there, but over time Mercedes improved and McLaren came back. So something worked, despite an unconvincing Hamilton, but in general the developments were not at the level of what others have done, like McLaren and also Red Bull.”
It is clear, however, that the updates did not have a major impact, especially considering the fundamental engine performance difference. For McLaren and Red Bull it is much easier, as they are equipped with a strong power unit, so their aerodynamic developments can effectively deliver a real step forward. Ferrari, on the other hand, simply cannot operate in the same way due to its current performance limitations.
Regarding possible changes to the power unit during the season, Luigi Mazzola added:
“Working on the engine is not simple, engine changes are usually done year by year. Only twenty years ago you could arrive with a new engine midway through the season, but things were completely different compared to today’s regulations. Here, all of this seems a bit strange to me, so I don’t know if they will be able to recover 30 horsepower in one go. It is something very difficult and something I don’t remember happening over time. Maybe it will be a compromise, trying to build a car with less drag to achieve higher straight-line speed, that could be something they need to look for. If we focus only on the engine, I get the impression we will really arrive at 2027.”
Therefore, despite the introduction of an updated power unit, it is not guaranteed that Ferrari will be able to close the gap to Mercedes. This would effectively mean giving up on championship ambitions for the 2026 season. Although the Maranello team may already be working on improvements to the engine, and should have been doing so for some time, this remains the only realistic source of hope they can currently rely on.
This expert analysis by Luigi Mazzola highlights the technical hurdles Ferrari faces in the 2026 season, suggesting that the path to reclaiming performance parity through the ADUO system is fraught with complexity. As the development race intensifies, Ferrari’s ability to balance aerodynamic efficiency with a mid-season engine boost will be the deciding factor in whether they can challenge for the title or must wait for the next regulatory cycle.
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