Ferrari engine customer hints Mercedes may hold the edge with 2026 F1 power units
The 2026 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be a fierce battle not only between Ferrari and Mercedes on the track but also indirectly through their engine supply partnerships. While the teams go head-to-head on performance, their respective engine customers could play a crucial role in the championship fight.
Ferrari will no longer supply power units to Sauber, now under Audi ownership. Instead, Cadillac will acquire the spare engines, while the longstanding partnership with Haas continues. This reshuffling highlights the growing strategic importance of customer teams as a proxy battlefield between manufacturers.
Mercedes-powered teams, including world champions McLaren and Williams, will continue with the established engine program. Aston Martin’s switch to Honda has created a gap in the field, which Alpine, formerly the Renault works team, will now occupy. These shifts will determine how the engine hierarchy unfolds in 2026.
Since teams began testing their 2026 power units, speculation has mounted that Mercedes may have a performance advantage. One of Ferrari’s own engine customers, Haas, appears to support that view.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu predicts Mercedes superiority
Ayao Komatsu, the team principal of Haas, expressed his thoughts in a column for Autosport Web, acknowledging the growing belief that Mercedes could be ahead in 2026. Komatsu, who previously worked with Lotus—one of the predecessors of today’s Alpine team—recalls how Mercedes established a clear power advantage in 2014 and expects the Brixworth facility to set the benchmark once again.
Komatsu admitted that it remains uncertain where Ferrari will position itself within the hierarchy. He noted that any finish below second place would be disappointing, considering the relative inexperience of Red Bull Powertrains and Ford, as well as Audi’s newcomer status and Honda’s known challenges. Ayao Komatsu suggested that Mercedes’ structured approach and long-term development capability make them the team to beat.
He explained that Mercedes’ previous success with their 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid in 2014 demonstrated their ability to plan meticulously and maintain a consistent performance advantage over competitors. Drawing on that experience, Ayao Komatsu believes Mercedes will once again serve as the performance benchmark in 2026. He added that it is difficult to imagine new engine manufacturers such as Ford and Audi immediately challenging for the top positions, while Honda’s pace remains uncertain. Similarly, Ferrari’s ability to surpass Mercedes is not guaranteed.
Mercedes’ potential advantage in fuel compression ratios
One of the most discussed technical advantages could be Mercedes’ engine fuel compression ratio. The 2026 rules limit compression from 18:1 down to 16:1, but reports suggest Mercedes may have discovered a method to operate at 18:1 on track while remaining compliant with FIA stationary checks. This could translate into a significant on-track advantage of up to four-tenths of a second per lap.
Ferrari will likely need several months to replicate this approach, assuming it is not prohibited by the FIA. Any regulatory clampdown could be delayed until after the mid-season break, giving Mercedes a potential window of dominance. This technical edge is likely one reason why Komatsu expressed such confidence in Mercedes’ engine superiority.
Cadillac remains confident in Ferrari
Despite this, Cadillac advisor Mario Andretti has downplayed concerns about Ferrari’s power unit. He believes that Ferrari, with its experience and resources, will eventually achieve the required performance, whether immediately or over time, ensuring they remain competitive throughout the season.
Overall, the 2026 season promises a high-stakes contest not just on the track but behind the scenes, with engine performance playing a pivotal role in determining which teams can challenge for victories and which may fall behind.
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