Ferrari is doing everything it can to close the gap to Mercedes in the 2026 Formula 1 season, but Maranello believes Brackley may still have an ace up its sleeve. The first races of the season have confirmed winter expectations: Mercedes currently sets the benchmark in power unit performance, both in raw power and energy management. This advantage is making a real difference on track and forcing Ferrari to chase, even with a very solid technical base.
The Mercedes advantage and the FIA upgrade system
It’s not just about horsepower. Mercedes’ power unit superiority also extends to electrical management, a critical element under the new regulations. The works team seems to have interpreted the system better than anyone else, while even customer teams are still struggling to exploit it fully.
This is where the FIA’s complex performance-balancing mechanism comes into play. Power units are monitored through a specific index, and depending on the gap relative to the reference – currently Mercedes – constructors can earn extra development opportunities.
The thresholds set by the regulations are quite clear: a deficit of 2–4% compared to the reference allows teams to implement one upgrade in 2026 and another in 2027. If the gap exceeds 4%, the opportunities double, giving two upgrades before the end of the season and another two in the following year.
This system makes performance management even more strategic. According to some internal paddock assessments, Ferrari could be hovering around the 2% threshold, with a gap estimated at roughly 15–20 horsepower.
Suspicion remains, however: Maranello believes Mercedes could deliberately manage its potential to avoid “opening the door” for rival upgrades. Proving this theory is challenging, given the FIA’s strict controls.
Ferrari: chassis praised, engine under scrutiny
While the power unit remains the weak point, the SF-26 has shown significant strengths. Many consider the car one of the best in terms of aerodynamics, capable under certain conditions of partially offsetting the power deficit.
For this reason, work is already underway in Maranello on a new internal combustion engine specification, seen as the main area for improvement. The goal is clear: recover the margin needed to compete consistently with Mercedes.
The 2026 season increasingly looks like a year of construction. Maranello understands that Mercedes will remain the reference point in the short term, but gaining access to upgrades already this season could be the key to relaunching ambitions for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.
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