Engineer Luigi Mazzola has shared his thoughts on the gap between Ferrari and Mercedes, pointing out how the power unit continues to make a difference, while also underlining how the Scuderia is still capable of putting up a fight. Here are the words of the former Maranello engineer, offering a detailed technical perspective on the current balance of performance in Formula 1.
There have been several positive signs for Ferrari during the opening races of the 2026 season. However, the few weaknesses that remain are having a significant impact on the final results. Mercedes currently enjoys a clear advantage in terms of engine performance, a gap that still needs to be closed. Estimates suggest that Ferrari is lacking at least 15 horsepower compared to its main rival. The Italian team is pushing hard, fully aware that the championship is long, but the German outfit continues to rely on a crucial strength. Luigi Mazzola explained this aspect in detail.
Mazzola: “A very refined software is needed. Ferrari has built an excellent car”
“It is clear that Mercedes can essentially do whatever it wants. Evidently, it has a superior overall package. It is not just a matter of the engine, which is probably better than the others, but the real strength lies in energy recovery management. The state of charge is the key element of these cars. If you do not have charge, you do not have horsepower, and therefore you cannot run at full power. This is why you need extremely refined software, capable of optimizing the balance between recovered energy and energy deployment, so that you can fully exploit all the available power, both thermal and electric.”
At Maranello, efforts are being made to replicate the energy delivery strategy of their rivals, but the engine itself is not yet at the same level. A completely new power unit is already being tested on the dyno and could potentially be introduced during the season. However, Mercedes is not using its full potential either, partly to avoid allowing Ferrari to fall within the parameters that would activate the ADUO mechanism.
“In the race, they almost give the impression that they do not want to show their full potential, because their performance appears extremely natural and consistent, with a build-up in the early laps and then a very solid management once they take the leading positions. This means that they still have something more than what we are currently seeing,” Mazzola added during the NewsF1 podcast.
“Ferrari, on the other hand, has designed and brought to the track an excellent car. They have done a great job. The car is well-balanced and behaves well. The drivers are not complaining about its handling, even though there is some nervousness due to lower aerodynamic load compared to last year. The performances are solid: third and fourth places, significant gaps, but those gaps need to be interpreted in context. If we consider that Mercedes is probably managing and not always pushing at the maximum, the fact that Ferrari still remains within their range is meaningful.” – he pointed out.
The chassis and aerodynamics of the SF-26 highlight the strong work carried out by the team led by Loic Serra. Further updates are already in the pipeline, but the main gap still lies in the power unit. Ferrari, however, is adopting an aggressive development approach. The filming day scheduled at Monza during the April break is expected to provide further answers on how to extract the maximum performance from the engine and close the gap to Mercedes.
The 2026 battle is currently a game of high-stakes electronic chess. While Mercedes holds the upper hand with its sophisticated energy recovery software, Ferrari’s aerodynamic platform is proving to be a formidable challenger. If the upcoming engine developments from Maranello can successfully bridge the 15-horsepower deficit, the second half of the season could see a dramatic shift in the power balance. For now, the “red” remains within striking distance, waiting for the moment Mercedes is forced to show its true hand.
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