F1 | A secret from China reveals Ferrari’s edge and Red Bull’s struggles. New images from the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix reveal how Ferrari’s perfect weight gives them an advantage over Red Bull.

Exclusive images from the Chinese Grand Prix provide an insight into one of the secrets behind Ferrari’s advantage over Red Bull and McLaren. After observing the first two rounds in Australia and China, new details have emerged that confirm the excellent work done by Ferrari, particularly in one area that is often decisive in Formula 1: the car’s weight. The images leaked from the Shanghai paddock offer interesting information that strengthens Ferrari’s position as the main contender to Mercedes in the early stages of the 2026 season.

Ferrari at the perfect limit: weight as a strength

The photos from the FIA weighing phase show that the SF-26 is extremely close to the minimum weight allowed by regulations. The data indicates a car weight of around 698.5 kg, to which the driver and equipment weight must be added. This figure confirms that the Prancing Horse’s car was designed with meticulous precision, maximizing performance without carrying unnecessary ballast.

In Formula 1, every kilogram can significantly affect lap time, and working so close to the minimum weight represents a substantial advantage. This also explains why Ferrari performs so well in flowing sections of the track, where agility and balance make all the difference.

Red Bull struggles: weight becomes a problem

The situation is very different for Red Bull. The images reveal that the Austrian team’s car is currently overweight compared to the regulatory limit, with a gap of approximately 20 kilograms compared to direct rivals, reaching 716.5 kg.

This helps explain some of the difficulties seen on track, from tire management to race pace, and a general lack of competitiveness compared to Mercedes and Ferrari. The extra weight negatively impacts both acceleration and directional changes, making the car less effective, especially in technical sections of the circuits.

Current hierarchy: Mercedes in front, Ferrari close behind

Considering these elements, the picture emerging from the first races is quite clear: Mercedes remains the benchmark, benefiting from a particularly effective power unit on the straights, while Ferrari establishes itself as the main alternative, performing especially well at race starts and through slow corners.

Further back, McLaren shows speed over a single lap but has been hampered by issues that forced a double DNS in Shanghai, while Red Bull faces the urgent need to react, even by addressing a crucial factor such as car weight. In a championship expected to be fiercely contested, Ferrari’s ability to start from such a solid foundation could prove decisive over the course of the season.