F1 | Fuel breakthrough: Ferrari among few teams to get FIA green light for 2026 season
Ferrari has received an important green light from the FIA just hours before the start of the Bahrain F1 test sessions.
After verifying the proper functioning of components and the power unit during the FIA-organized shakedown in Barcelona, the Bahrain tests will be the team’s first real opportunity to focus on performance. Teams will have six days spread over two weeks to start working on pure speed, aiming to arrive as prepared as possible for the Melbourne Grand Prix weekend.
FIA approval a key step for Ferrari
To achieve this, it will be crucial to begin using the fuels that will be used throughout the season. Alongside the new cars, the FIA has strongly pushed for the introduction of sustainable fuels. This requirement has challenged teams and suppliers to find solutions that can make a difference over the course of the championship, not without some difficulties.
According to French insiders, only two teams have received FIA approval regarding fuel use. Ferrari is among them, meaning the Maranello squad can now focus on gathering data together with Shell, the team’s fuel partner. For the Scuderia, this represents a crucial step ahead of a 2026 season in which Frederic Vasseur’s team will aim to return to the forefront after a campaign filled with problems and challenges.
This early FIA approval regarding sustainable fuels provides Ferrari with a strategic advantage as the 2026 pre-season shifts into high gear in Bahrain. By clearing this regulatory hurdle before many of their rivals, the Scuderia and Shell can focus entirely on optimizing the performance of the new power unit rather than worrying about compliance issues. As the paddock prepares for the transition to greener energy, Ferrari’s readiness suggests they are well-positioned to avoid the early-season drama that often accompanies such radical rule changes, setting a positive tone for their Melbourne aspirations.
Leave a Reply