Ferrari compared with Mercedes and McLaren in Bahrain qualifying trim: who performs best? Onboard analysis
The Ferrari SF-26 looked extremely strong during the race pace simulation carried out on the final afternoon of testing in Bahrain. But how does it compare to Mercedes and McLaren on a single-lap run? Here’s a direct comparison using onboard footage, along with a detailed analysis.
The Maranello team brought a baseline car to Bahrain, highlighting some rear-end issues on the first day of testing. After fitting updates, the SF-26 appeared more stable, with the paddock even referring to it as a “plane.” Ferrari focused meticulously on the diffuser area, trying to extract as much downforce as possible. Loic Serra aimed for a “chameleon” design so that the initial concepts could be completely reversed if they proved ineffective. Comparing Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren on a flying lap reveals some interesting details.
Ferrari less ready at the front, but track conditions differ
From the first braking zone, it’s noticeable that Mercedes is closest to the curb and apex, while McLaren sits slightly further off. Ferrari stays furthest away, taking a wider, less ideal line through turns 2 and 3. After a short straight, all three cars tackle turn 4, where Charles Leclerc has to manage the rear compared to the other two cars. Lando Norris takes a much less aggressive approach on exit, not fully exploiting the track width.
Through the snake section (turns 5-6-7), Ferrari may be the strongest in attacking the corner initially, but Leclerc suffers a snap at mid-corner that unsettles the car and compromises the ideal line. Mercedes and McLaren appear cleaner, though McLaren again fails to fully use the outside curb. At turn 8, the SF-26 shows a touch of understeer, with another slight rear step-out on exit. Even the world champion McLaren struggles somewhat with traction, while Kimi Antonelli maintains perfect stability once on the throttle.
Approaching turn 10, the cars brake and steer in combination. Ferrari again stays furthest from the curb, indicating a slightly weaker front compared to rivals. McLaren and Mercedes are both strong on entry, but while McLaren loses the rear, Mercedes remains very stable under acceleration. At the entry to turn 11, Leclerc can’t touch the curb again, whereas Antonelli manages it even more consistently than Norris. Mercedes experiences a snap on exit, but Ferrari performs excellently in traction.
By turn 13, both British cars are composed, while the SF-26 struggles to rotate, with Leclerc losing the rear before reaching the curb and again on throttle. In the final corner, Ferrari still fights on exit, while McLaren executes a perfect line. Mercedes also shows minor issues in mid-corner support.
Of course, this comparison is purely visual. Fuel loads, engine maps, and many other factors that can add or subtract performance from a car remain unknown. It’s worth noting that Ferrari set its time in the morning, when the track was hotter and more slippery, while McLaren and Mercedes ran in the afternoon under ideal conditions. Can we say the SF-26 isn’t at the level of its rivals? Certainly not—laps were done at different times and on different tires. Norris, for example, was not on the softest compound. It is interesting, however, to see how this generation of F1 cars tends to oversteer significantly more.
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