F1 | Ferrari’s new engine on the bench: the plan to close the gap with Mercedes
The challenge after the first races
The opening rounds of the 2026 F1 season have highlighted a clear gap between Ferrari and Mercedes. The team from Maranello is already working hard on its engine to reduce the deficit as quickly as possible. According to Matteo Bobbi, Sky Sport F1 commentator, in a video posted on his YouTube channel, Ferrari is already developing a new engine.
The gap to Mercedes
In his video, Matteo Bobbi analyzed Ferrari’s early performances. The team appeared very competitive both in Australia and in China. According to the pundit, within the paddock, Ferrari is considered “the best car, along with Mercedes.”
However, the gap between the two teams is largely due to a lack of power. Matteo Bobbi explained that this was not entirely a surprise for Ferrari: “They have a fairly significant shortfall in power compared to Mercedes. Nothing they didn’t already know before taking the track for the first shakedown day in Barcelona.”
The Sky Sport F1 commentator added: “Ferrari, even during this winter, was fully aware, due to certain upstream decisions and at a conceptual level regarding the Power Unit, that it would be lacking compared to Mercedes, or more generally versus other rivals in terms of the ICE, the internal combustion engine.”
The new engine already on the bench
Because of this awareness, Ferrari reportedly already has a new engine on the bench to try to close the gap to Brackley: “In fact, the new engine is already running on the bench, conceptually with some differences at least in construction. Ferrari hopes that, when the time comes, it will help bridge the gap to Mercedes.”
Second strongest team
Despite the lack of power, Ferrari confirmed its status as the second-strongest team in China. Matteo Bobbi added: “Ferrari, in my opinion, is completely the second force. It is second in terms of engine performance, second in tire management, chassis performance, and overall execution. But from a chassis perspective, it is very close, in my opinion, to Mercedes.”
The 2026 Formula 1 season progresses and the technical battle off the track remains just as intense as the racing on it. Ferrari’s proactive approach to engine development suggests a long-term strategy aimed at reclaiming the top step of the podium through consistent mechanical upgrades and strategic optimization of their existing platform.
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