Ferrari SF-26, Gualtieri and Serra reveal the secrets of the new engine, highlighting a specific aspect that should not be underestimated, set between technical revolution and total integration.
During the presentation of the Ferrari SF-26, Enrico Gualtieri and Loïc Serra outlined in detail the changes introduced to the power unit ahead of the new technical regulations. It is a deep and far-reaching evolution, one that required a complete rethink of the design approach and of the way the engine integrates with the car as a whole.
From a technical perspective, the main changes are three and they directly affect the overall project philosophy. “From the power unit point of view, several important changes have been introduced,” Gualtieri explained. “The three main ones are the increase in electrical power, with an MGU-K that is three times more powerful, the introduction of an advanced sustainable fuel at 99 percent, and the removal of the MGU-H.”
This decision brings the engine concept back towards a more traditional configuration. “We therefore return to a traditional turbo engine, no longer electrically assisted.”
How the Ferrari power unit changes and why Maranello trusts the work done
These changes have imposed a radically different approach to power unit development. “All these changes required a completely different approach to the overall power unit design philosophy,” Gualtieri continued. Despite the increased importance of the electrical component, the internal combustion engine remains central. “We still continue to focus on the efficiency of the internal combustion engine, because the energy flow limits make this aspect fundamental.”
The hybrid system has also been deeply rethought, not only in terms of individual components but also in how it interacts with the entire car. “The hybrid system has also been profoundly modified in terms of design and will be another key element for development and functionality,” Gualtieri explained.
The power unit therefore becomes an integral part of the overall architecture and represents a detail that should not be underestimated. “Overall, the power unit has become, more than ever, a fully integrated part of the car’s overall architecture. Everything has been designed in an extremely integrated way.”
Serra: Ferrari reliability as an absolute priority
On the topic of reliability, Loïc Serra also spoke, reiterating how this aspect remains central despite the regulatory changes. “Reliability is not more important than it was in previous years,” Serra clarified. “When you design a solution, you must always take into account that it has to be reliable.”
With the introduction of new solutions, the challenge becomes even more complex. “With a new regulation and new constraints, for example with active aerodynamics, it is not only about the concept itself, but also about finding solutions that work and are reliable.”
This has become a non-negotiable cornerstone in the development of the SF-26. “It is a top priority in development.” The words of Gualtieri and Serra outline a Ferrari SF-26 conceived as a single, unified system, where the power unit and chassis work in harmony from the ground up, aiming to tackle the new technical era of Formula 1 with maximum stability and efficiency.
As the focus now shifts from the presentation halls of Maranello to the asphalt of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the true hierarchy of the 2026 grid will slowly begin to emerge. While data and simulations have provided a foundation, nothing compares to the reality of the stopwatch and the feedback of the drivers as they push these sophisticated machines to the limit. With testing just around the corner, the world of Formula 1 is bracing for a season defined by technical mastery and strategic evolution.
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