Did Ferrari already use the new 2026 fuel during the private Barcelona tests? Here are the first pieces of information and some key details regarding the Maranello-built power unit.
The Prancing Horse gathered a large amount of data related to the reliability of its new engine. However, several questions still remain unresolved, especially regarding the use of the new 2026 fuels during the Barcelona tests. What type of fuel did Ferrari actually use?
The Maranello team completed an impressive 432 laps during the Barcelona tests, covering a total distance of 2,012 kilometers. Ferrari’s power unit was also run by Cadillac and Haas. None of these customer teams reported any technical issues with the power unit. An interesting detail also emerged thanks to Esteban Ocon. According to the French driver, his Haas reached a top speed of 350 km/h, an eye-catching figure that exceeds the 347 km/h recorded by Mercedes and the 344 km/h achieved by Red Bull.
Overall, reliability appeared to be solid, but there are still several aspects to clarify, particularly regarding the use of the new fully sustainable fuel.
Ferrari and the fuel question, Bahrain will provide more clarity
As reported by AutoRacer.it, with the new engine configuration drivers must learn specific techniques to manage electronics and overall drivability. Turbo lag, in particular, requires integrated management with the battery system, which must be deployed carefully and efficiently. The new ERS system allows for a maximum of 11.4 seconds of usable power per lap.
More detailed and conclusive evaluations will only be carried out by the teams in Bahrain. In recent days, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have been working extensively on the simulator to check whether the data collected on track matches the simulations. The seven-time world champion appears, for now, satisfied with the driving sensations. When it comes to the power unit, there have certainly been positive indications after Barcelona. Completing such a high mileage without issues provides a first level of confidence.
Complicating the picture is the topic of the new fuel. At this stage, no one knows exactly what might happen once the engines start running on the fully homologated 2026 fuels, most likely as early as the upcoming tests in Sakhir. Ferrari, like the other manufacturers, used a sort of hybrid solution, also due to the extremely high costs involved. A full tank, in fact, could cost up to €13,000.
We are talking about a “fossil-origin supply” that is nevertheless very similar to sustainable fuels. Naturally, these fuels differ both in chemical composition and in production processes. These are essentially the same fuels that were used last year during power unit bench testing.
Ferrari will adopt biofuel, while all the other engine manufacturers will rely on e-fuel. Biofuels are produced through the transformation of organic waste, whereas synthetic fuels are created via chemical reactions that reintroduce carbon dioxide captured from the atmosphere.
The technical path Ferrari has chosen—prioritizing biofuels in partnership with Shell—could be the deciding factor in the efficiency race of 2026. As the teams head to Bahrain to finally run the 100% sustainable blends, we will see if the impressive reliability and top speeds observed in Barcelona hold up under the most expensive and complex fuel regulations in F1 history.
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