F1 | Ferrari reveals why the SF-26 trails Mercedes in engine power

As the Japanese Grand Prix approaches, new insights have emerged about Ferrari and why the SF-26’s power unit generates less output than the Mercedes engine. One of the key limitations of the SF-26 is linked to its engine. Compared to a dominant Mercedes in the first two races of the 2026 season, Ferrari has struggled to match the raw horsepower and energy efficiency of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli’s W17 cars, which appear to extract more performance from their hybrid powertrain.

Because of this, the Maranello squad has been actively working on the 2027 engine. Enrico Gualtieri’s team is reportedly considering a more sophisticated design than the current unit. Given the numerous changes in the current technical regulations, Ferrari prioritized power unit reliability, opting for a simpler layout than its rivals to ensure consistent performance throughout the races.

Understanding the SF-26’s lower horsepower

Further details have come to light ahead of Suzuka. According to the Italian website AutoRacer, the SF-26 was originally built around a different power unit, which was later abandoned during development. This forced Ferrari to redesign portions of the car’s architecture to accommodate an evolved version of the 2025-spec engine. The result is a highly reliable unit, though it delivers slightly less power than initially intended.

Despite this shortfall, Ferrari still has a solid platform to introduce upgrades over the season. This will be especially critical on faster circuits, where aerodynamic efficiency plays a major role. By minimizing drag and maximizing engine performance, the SF-26 could become a strong contender for top positions, reflecting the progress Ferrari has made in recent years and reaffirming the ambitions of the Maranello team in Formula 1’s premier category.

Managing the development process will be vital, with several updates expected in the first European races. Close collaboration between the chassis and engine teams will be essential to optimize overall integration. Simulator work and wind tunnel testing will also be key, allowing engineers to refine every detail. Early feedback suggests the car is on the right track, but consistency will be necessary to turn potential into results. With a long and competitive season ahead, continued improvements could make all the difference.

The technical compromise Ferrari made for the 2026 season was therefore a calculated bet on reliability over raw peak output. Based on the content of the latest technical leaks, the SF-26 is essentially a “safe” foundation intended to be out-developed as the season progresses. Whether this strategy can hold off the Mercedes onslaught at a power-sensitive track like Suzuka remains the biggest question of the weekend.