Ferrari chasing performance gains with engine upgrade
After three races in the 2026 Formula 1 season, Ferrari has firmly established itself as the second-fastest team in the standings. However, the Maranello-based outfit is fully aware that a significant portion of the gap to Mercedes is linked to the performance of the power unit. The advantage enjoyed by the Silver Arrows has been substantial, to the point that both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton openly addressed the issue during the Suzuka weekend.
Work is already underway in Maranello to improve the current power unit package, but fans will need to wait a little longer before seeing the upgraded engine on track. The new specification is not expected to debut until the summer months, by which time roughly one third of the championship will already have been completed.
Ferrari new ICE expected around July
According to reports from AutoRacer.it, the long-awaited “boosted” engine is unlikely to arrive before July, meaning that earlier expectations for a debut at the Barcelona round (June 14–16) may have been overly optimistic.
Between the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal and the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, Ferrari will introduce its second power unit of the season. However, this will be an identical version to the one currently in use, offering no immediate performance leap.
The new internal combustion engine currently under development in Maranello could instead make its race debut during one of the three July events: Silverstone on July 5, Spa-Francorchamps on July 19, or the Hungaroring on July 26. This would place its introduction between the ninth and eleventh rounds of the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
Meanwhile, during the meeting scheduled for tomorrow between the FIA, Formula 1 teams, and power unit manufacturers, discussions will also focus on the ADUO topic. A final decision is expected on whether approval will come after the Miami Grand Prix or following the Monaco Grand Prix.
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