Mercedes is keeping a close eye on Ferrari ahead of the race weekend at the Shanghai circuit, home of the Chinese Grand Prix. According to Matteo Bobbi, the Brackley team sees Ferrari as one of their most dangerous rivals on this track due to the circuit’s specific technical characteristics.
Bobbi: Mercedes concerned about Ferrari in China
According to Matteo Bobbi, in the paddock Ferrari is considered a very strong car when it comes to chassis performance. Their main weakness remains the power unit compared to the competition. From Mercedes’ internal assessments, Ferrari is today one of the most competitive cars in terms of chassis structure and cornering performance.
This aspect could prove decisive, especially in the most technical sectors of the Shanghai circuit. Aerodynamic downforce and chassis efficiency play a key role in lap performance. In particular, the first sector and the middle section of the track are considered areas where the car’s behavior can make a real difference compared to rivals.
A highly competitive Ferrari expected in Shanghai
For this reason, the Brackley team expects Ferrari to be particularly competitive in the Chinese Grand Prix weekend. The Shanghai layout favors cars that are well-balanced and capable of maintaining high speeds through long sequences of corners. In this context, Ferrari is seen as a direct and very dangerous opponent.
In the paddock, the general feeling is that Mercedes may still have an advantage on the power unit side, but on a track where the chassis is so important, that margin could shrink significantly.
A technical battle could ignite in Shanghai
The battle between the two teams could therefore intensify in Shanghai, a circuit that over the years has often rewarded the most technically complete cars. With Ferrari’s chassis strength and Mercedes’ engine power, the clash promises to be one of the defining technical showdowns of the season.
Mercedes’ wary stance toward Ferrari’s chassis highlights the fascinating technical diversity emerging in the 2026 era. While the Silver Arrows have successfully leveraged their legacy in engine manufacturing to build a dominant Power Unit, Ferrari’s focus on the “finer details” of the SF-26’s skeleton suggests a different path to victory. In Shanghai, a track that punishes a poorly balanced car with severe front-tire graining, Ferrari’s mechanical grip might actually provide better tire longevity over a full race stint. If Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton can stay close through the twisty second sector, Mercedes may find that their engine advantage isn’t enough to keep the Reds behind.
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