Ferrari vs Mercedes: The battle for the most successful F1 engine manufacturer of all time. Mercedes is closing the gap to Ferrari in the all-time Formula 1 engine wins ranking.

The battle for supremacy in terms of total victories among Formula 1 engine manufacturers, between Maranello and Stuttgart, could intensify as early as next season.

Head-to-head

Among the many points of interest surrounding the 2026 Formula 1 season, there is one that is less obvious – and certainly secondary compared to the potential impact that the long-awaited regulatory revolution could have on the future of the category – yet particularly intriguing for fans: the fight for the title of the most successful engine manufacturer in the history of Formula 1.

At present, Ferrari occupies the top position in this special ranking, boasting 249 victories achieved with its engines. Of these, 248 were secured directly by the Scuderia Ferrari team, while one came courtesy of a customer team, Toro Rosso, in 2008, thanks to the unforgettable victory of Sebastian Vettel at Monza.

Maranello has led this standings since 11 July 2004, when Michael Schumacher’s victory at the British Grand Prix – the 177th win for a Ferrari engine in Formula 1 – allowed the Italian manufacturer to definitively overtake Ford Cosworth, which had been stuck on 176 victories.

However, the arrival of the hybrid era in Formula 1 completely reshaped the competitive balance. From 2014 to the present day, Mercedes engines have collected an impressive 140 victories, achieved thanks to the works Mercedes team, McLaren, and Racing Point. The latter secured the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix with Sergio Perez, using a power unit branded BWT, which was in reality a Mercedes engine.

Current controversies

As the 2026 season approaches, the battle is more open than ever. Mercedes currently sits on 239 victories, compared to Ferrari’s 249. A gap of just 10 wins, which appears more than recoverable over the course of a season that is expected to be particularly long.

This historic rivalry also ties into the present-day debates within Formula 1, especially in light of the recent controversy surrounding Mercedes power units ahead of the season that will begin at the end of January with pre-season testing in Barcelona.

With major regulatory changes on the horizon and growing scrutiny over engine performance, the duel between Ferrari and Mercedes is set to add another fascinating layer to the narrative of the 2026 Formula 1 championship.