In a video published on its official social media channels, Ferrari has revealed the secret behind its new 2026 Formula 1 engine that has already impressed the paddock. The Scuderia explained in detail what has changed in the new Power Unit that will power the next generation of F1 cars.
One of the main innovations introduced by the new Formula 1 regulations concerns the Power Unit. The single-seaters that we will soon see take to the track in Melbourne will use engines that have been almost completely redesigned, featuring the removal of the MGU-H and a new 50/50 split between the electric and internal combustion components.
This represents a major technical and engineering challenge, one that has led the FIA to introduce additional tests to allow teams to analyse the reliability of the new power units in detail. Early indications suggest that Ferrari is among the teams with reason to be optimistic. The Maranello-based Scuderia, expected to play a leading role in the 2026 Formula 1 season, has arrived at the starting line with a Power Unit that, at least so far, has not encountered any significant issues.
Ferrari reveals the secret behind the 2026 engine that impressed the paddock
But what exactly lies behind the engine of the SF-26? Ferrari itself provided the answer in a video released on social media in the days leading up to the first race weekend of the season.
“The new Power Unit is very different from the one we have used up to 2025. We now have a 50% contribution from the internal combustion engine and 50% from the electric motor. In addition, we will use a sustainable fuel, which represents a key component of the new engines. Fuel is in fact a crucial element of both the engine and the Power Unit itself,” said Davide Mazzoni, Head of ICE.
“A very interesting aspect of the new regulations is that we have had to make enormous efforts to improve the efficiency of every component of the Power Unit,” added Thierry Baritaud, Head of Hybrid and Turbo Systems.
Claudio Silenzi, Head of F1 Electronics Development, explained what such a radical change has involved. “It is a great challenge for the entire team. This is something completely new that we have had to develop from scratch and within a limited timeframe. We are pushing as hard as possible to extract the maximum performance from this season’s car.”
“With the new regulations, the first step was to simplify the engine, moving from an 80/20 split to a 50/50 configuration. The objective was to make Formula 1 cars closer to road cars. The removal of the MGU-H has reintroduced the possibility of turbo lag, and for this reason we have had to work extensively to improve system efficiency. This explains why the electric component is now much more powerful than before, delivering 350 kW compared to the 120 kW of the past. These are all concepts that can eventually be transferred to everyday road cars,” the three Ferrari engineers concluded.
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