Ferrari once again frustrated by Mercedes developments
Ferrari has once again found itself irritated by a development involving Mercedes, as a new engine-related workaround used by both Mercedes and Red Bull to fully exploit every bit of electrical power in qualifying has raised eyebrows within the Maranello-based Formula 1 team. The issue, which has emerged in recent hours, was reported by the specialist outlet The Race in an article written by respected journalist Jonathan Noble. The report explains how the power units developed in Brixworth and Milton Keynes are able to take advantage of an “emergency mode” during qualifying sessions.
While this approach appears to be fully legal under the current interpretation of the regulations, Ferrari believes it may go against the original intent behind the FIA’s introduction of a protective system within the ECU. This system is designed to intervene when electrical power suddenly drops from 350 kW to 0 kW, ensuring the reliability and safety of the hybrid components.
How the Mercedes and Red Bull engine trick works
In short – and for those interested in a more detailed technical breakdown – cars powered by Mercedes and Red Bull engines (as clearly seen in qualifying telemetry data, for example from Alex Albon) are able to avoid the gradual reduction of MGU-K power after delivering maximum output. Instead, they maintain peak electrical deployment for a few extra seconds before abruptly triggering the protection system, effectively cutting the electric motor’s output in one sudden step.
This behavior is not explicitly forbidden by the regulations. However, the FIA has mandated a “safety lock” in such cases, which forces the MGU-K to shut down for 60 seconds if a sudden drop from 350 to 0 kW occurs. For this reason, such a workaround is not practical during race conditions, but it can still offer a small advantage in qualifying, particularly on the final straight leading up to the finish line.
Ferrari seeks answers from the FIA
According to The Race, all engine manufacturers have been aware of this technique for some time and are now evaluating whether it is worth adjusting their power unit software to replicate it. As a result, Ferrari has reportedly approached the FIA not necessarily to demand an immediate ban on rivals such as Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren, but rather to understand whether there are plans to prohibit this “trick” in the near future on safety grounds.
Indeed, situations like the one experienced by Alex Albon at the end of his Q1 lap in Suzuka highlight potential risks. The sudden shutdown of the MGU-K and the resulting deceleration can put strain on the turbocharger and, consequently, the internal combustion engine. This may even force the driver to stop on track in order to reset the entire system.
How much is the Mercedes engine advantage worth?
It is still unclear how significant the performance gain from this technique actually is in terms of lap time. Much depends on factors such as the length of the straight between the final corner and the finish line, as well as how slow the preceding corner is – which directly influences the importance of acceleration on exit.
While the advantage is unlikely to be worth multiple tenths of a second, even a marginal gain can prove decisive in tightly contested qualifying sessions. In such scenarios, it could make the difference between securing pole position or being eliminated in Q1 or Q2.
It also remains uncertain whether Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell actually used this technique during Q3 in Suzuka. Regardless, Ferrari is once again awaiting clarification from the FIA regarding the legality and potential future of this Mercedes engine strategy.
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