F1 | Ferrari gains a new advantage for 2026: Maranello counts on Shell fuel to make the difference
In a new technical video, Ferrari explained the importance of Shell fuel and how it could make a real difference in the 2026 Formula 1 season. The newly redesigned Power Units, heavily updated by the FIA under the new regulations debuting this year, are engineered to run on sustainable fuel. This requirement has forced both teams and suppliers to conduct intensive research to develop a fuel capable of delivering maximum performance while remaining within the strict limits set by the Federation.
Ferrari explains the significance of Shell fuel in 2026
In a video shared on social media, Ferrari outlined the season’s key innovations and highlighted the critical role of fuel. “Without a doubt, the 2026 fuel will be a decisive factor for performance. Specifically, it will be part of the equation that allows us to achieve the desired efficiency. Fuel is at the start of the energy transformation chain, and for this reason, it will undoubtedly be one of the key factors this season,” explained Enrico Gualtieri.
“What has truly changed in 2026 is the ability, together with our partner Shell, to use a fuel that can combine and match the physical properties required by the engine while fully complying with regulations. More than ever, fuel and engine must work together to optimize the performance of the entire Power Unit,” added Ferrari’s Power Unit Technical Director.
Joining the Italian engineer, Selda Gunsel, Chief Technology Officer at Shell, added: “The new regulations require the use of fuels derived from advanced sustainable biomass. Our Shell V-Power fuel fully meets FIA requirements and has represented both a challenge and an opportunity to push performance and sustainability limits. The new fuel must meet very strict criteria: it cannot be derived from food crops, it must ensure minimal land-use impact, and it must be fully traceable.”
The technical marriage between Ferrari’s combustion chamber and Shell’s molecular engineering represents one of the most sophisticated battlegrounds of the 2026 season. As Formula 1 transitions to a carbon-neutral future, the “extra weapon” mentioned in Maranello isn’t just about raw horsepower, but about the thermal efficiency gained from a fuel that perfectly mirrors the engine’s architecture. In a season where energy management is under the microscope, the ability of Shell V-Power to deliver consistent, clean, and high-density energy could be what allows Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to maintain peak performance during the closing laps of a Grand Prix.
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