The approximately 30-horsepower gap is forcing both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to maximise every metre taken in the corners, both in high-speed sections and in slower technical areas. While the chassis and aerodynamic package appear to be excellent, the team is still missing engine performance. Mercedes-powered cars are significantly stronger on the straights, and as a result Ferrari drivers are forced to push extremely hard through cornering sections just to stay competitive.
Yesterday, the Monegasque driver made a mistake while attempting to secure a podium position, highlighting how difficult the situation is. The car also appears to suffer from rear-end instability and occasional sliding. This raises the question: could this be causing abnormal tyre degradation? Former Ferrari driver Ivan Capelli addressed the topic on Race Anatomy with a technical explanation.
Capelli: “You have to try to compensate, and therefore you brake later”
“There are peaks where the car has improved significantly and is even faster than the rivals. After turn 1, in the fast corners, Ferrari showed very strong pace in the high-speed sections. This means that the aerodynamic developments have worked well,” Ivan Capelli explained.
“However, what happens then is that if you are missing those thirty horsepower, what do you rely on? You have to try to compensate, and therefore you brake later, you use the tyres more, and in the end everything falls apart. At that point you start going backwards and you take a step back. The ADUO gives you the opportunity to work on the engine, but it is not automatic that you immediately gain horsepower from it.”
According to this interpretation, Ferrari does not actually have a fundamental tyre degradation problem. Instead, what is happening on track is a consequence of the engine deficit. In order to fight competitors, the drivers are forced to push harder, which naturally leads to higher tyre consumption and reduced overall durability.
The SF-26 does appear to have some minor weaknesses at the rear, but nothing considered too serious at this stage. Lewis Hamilton has been very clear in his assessment, stating that the team needs a more powerful power unit, especially because, in all other areas, the Ferrari may actually be one of the strongest cars on the grid.
It remains to be seen whether the ADUO development path will be enough to change the direction of the championship and close the gap to the front-running teams as the season progresses.
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