The news which was first reported by RacingNews365 proved to be correct: Ferrari was not invited to the meeting of the power unit manufacturers that had been set for December 15 to define the rules of the 2026 engines.
It was a very strong move on behalf of the FIA which confirms that there is a deep rift between the manufacturers who have already signed up for the 2026 championship (Red Bull Powertrains, Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains, Honda Racing Corporation and Alpine SAS) and the Maranello brand.
The decision to exclude Ferrari came after the team representatives refused to sign the agreement for the 2026 rules in the previous meeting. Distant views that were first expressed by Scuderia Ferrari and which inevitably led to a prompt reaction from those who had signed the new regulation that had to be ratified initially by 15 October, with the deadline then extended to the end of November.
Ferrari has repeatedly explained its point of view and, before asserting the right of veto granted to the historic Italian brand, is hoping to find some common ground with the FIA in order to avoid a real rupture that would point to opposite sides inside the F1 paddock which has struggled to regain a very positive image.
In the Ferrari Racing Division they are continuing to point out the fact that Red Bull Powertrains cannot be treated as a new engine manufacturer, having had full access to Honda intellectual property. The Milton Keynes team, on the other hand, claims that the rights were returned to the Japanese engine manufacturer without ever actually being used.
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The entry of a new engine manufacturer into Formula 1 (such as Audi) is clearly an advantage at this stage because concessions are allowed regarding development and bench tests. According to Ferrari, as opposed to Audi, Red Bull Powertrains cannot be seen to a new supplier.
Despite the last free days, with many people still on vacation, the FIA and Ferrari are constantly in touch to find a solution that is not harmful to the image of Formula 1, after all the effort that Liberty Media has made to bring back the GPs at their best.
John Elkann and Benedetto Vigna want to make the political value of Ferrari weigh again: in recent years the Italian side has lost a lot of power due to choices considered too condescending when discussing the rules.
At stake are also minor aspects concerning the electronic control of the new power units: the Maranello technicians would have found a gray area that they would like to eliminate, while they seem to have already reached an agreement on the attempt to block the use of 3D printers for the creation of structural parts of the power units.
Frederic Vasseur who will officially begin his work on January 9, will find a first major topic on his desk to be handled with care. It is true that Honda has indicated its intention to return to F1 in 2026 after announcing its withdrawal two years ago.
The Japanese company has mandated Koji Watanabe, head of Honda Racing, to sit down again at the table and discuss the 2026 F1 rules with the intention of returning as a top competitor, giving the clear idea that the Japanese company, supplier for Red Bull until the end of 2025, will proceed with a plan of their own that will have nothing to do with Milton Keynes. At the same time, Christian Horner’s staff have started discussions to involve Ford in renaming the power unit for the new regulations.
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