Has Ferrari’s engine already outpaced Mercedes during the Barcelona tests? Recent insights suggest an intriguing development for the Scuderia’s SF-26 power unit. While Ferrari has shown strong reliability so far, the performance data is only just emerging, and details from the Haas team hint at a noteworthy advantage.
Early test data and top speed reveal
During the private testing sessions in Barcelona, exact performance figures were difficult to confirm, with limited timing information available. However, over the following days, new details emerged about the teams’ activities. Ferrari’s engine logged impressive mileage without any reliability issues, not only powering the SF-26 but also supporting Haas and Cadillac cars. Now, a remarkable data point has surfaced.
Esteban Ocon, in a recent interview with L’Equipe, revealed that his Haas reached a top speed of 350 km/h at the end of the main straight. This represents a substantial increase compared to last year’s benchmarks and highlights the performance boost provided by the battery, which delivers extra horsepower at maximum output. Teams must carefully manage the battery throughout each lap, but Ferrari’s engine still surpassed Mercedes’ 347 km/h and Red Bull’s 344 km/h.
Ocon said: “Hitting 350 km/h at the end of one lap was something I’d never experienced before. The sense of speed is incredible; I’ve never felt anything like it. The battery doesn’t last the entire lap, so you have to lift off the throttle to recharge it before braking. My first impression is that overtaking will be difficult. This is just my initial assessment, but I hope things improve as the season goes on.”
Haas praises Ferrari’s power unit
Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu also commented on the collaboration and the new power unit, thanking Ferrari for their work: “Ferrari has done an absolutely outstanding job in achieving this level of performance while maintaining the reliability we’ve seen. Completing 150 laps on the first day alone feels like a record for us. Across the test days, we did not encounter any serious engine issues. Many cars caused red flags here and there, but we never stopped due to problems with the power unit. Having such a reliable engine allows us to make consistent progress and is a very encouraging sign.”
Of course, the full picture will become clearer during the Bahrain testing sessions, where all teams’ performance and reliability can be analyzed under more complete conditions.
Looking ahead
For Ferrari, the combination of top-end speed and strong reliability suggests the SF-26 power unit is starting the 2026 season on a promising note. If these early Barcelona insights hold true, the battle with Mercedes and Red Bull will be even more intense once the first races begin.
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