Lewis Hamilton could face a grid penalty before the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season following a worrying Ferrari power unit problem at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Although the seven-time world champion avoided a penalty when his engine was replaced during the weekend, concerns have emerged that the damaged unit may have been the newest and most powerful specification available to him. If Ferrari cannot recover it, Lewis Hamilton could struggle to complete the remaining races without exceeding his permitted allocation.
Ferrari arrived at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez expecting one of its most difficult weekends of the season, given the importance of power unit performance at the high-altitude circuit and the anticipated limitations of the SF-26. Instead, the Italian team produced one of its strongest performances of the year, particularly in terms of lap times. However, the final result did not fully reflect that competitiveness, with Ferrari converting first and third on the starting grid into second and fourth at the chequered flag.
Ferrari’s Mexico GP performance leaves mixed feelings
Lewis Hamilton secured second place after a race that required him to fight back from the early chaos involving his team-mate, as well as other race circumstances that worked against him. Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, finished fourth after paying the price for his aggressive approach at the initial start. The Monegasque received a five-second penalty that potentially cost him victory, while another difficult moment at the second start saw him brake on the limit, compromise his tyres and eventually lose a podium position to Lando Norris.
For Ferrari, the outcome was therefore bittersweet. At a circuit where expectations had been relatively modest, the SF-26 delivered one of its most convincing performances of the season, yet the final classification fell short of what appeared possible. Overtaking difficulties and the opening-lap controversy between the Ferrari drivers complicated matters considerably, particularly with Max Verstappen involved in the battle.
His presence also prevented Ferrari from simply reversing the positions of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to resolve the situation. The incident brought the team’s internal management difficulties into focus, making it another issue to address before the final races of the championship. The controversy has already prompted calls from Lewis Hamilton for discussions within Ferrari, while the circumstances surrounding Charles Leclerc’s five-second penalty in Mexico have also attracted attention.
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari power unit problem forced overnight repairs
Alongside its analysis of the race itself, Ferrari must investigate another significant concern arising from the Mexico City weekend: the extensive work required in the garage between Friday and Saturday at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
During the second free practice session, a technical problem forced Lewis Hamilton to end his running prematurely. The issue was traced to the power unit area, prompting Ferrari to instruct the British driver to stop the car on track.
The problem was serious enough to require the replacement of the entire power unit. Ferrari’s mechanics consequently had to break the overnight curfew to complete the necessary work and ensure that the seven-time world champion could continue the weekend without further disruption.
The team opted to install another power unit from Lewis Hamilton’s existing allocation, allowing him to avoid an immediate grid penalty. This decision was also influenced by the characteristics of the Mexican circuit and the findings of Ferrari’s simulations, which had indicated how difficult overtaking would be. The track configuration made it particularly challenging to follow another car closely enough to prepare an attack, increasing the importance of avoiding a grid drop.
Could Lewis Hamilton face a grid penalty after reported ADUO-2 engine failure?
According to information obtained from sources close to Ferrari, the replacement power unit installed in Lewis Hamilton’s car is believed to have been unit number three, developed with ADUO-1. However, this identification remains unconfirmed and should be treated with caution.
The potentially more serious development concerns the engine that failed during Friday practice. According to the same information, the damaged unit may have been power unit number four, featuring the ADUO-2 specification. This would make it the newest and most powerful unit available in Lewis Hamilton’s allocation.
If that assessment proves correct, the consequences could extend well beyond the Mexico City Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton would potentially have to complete the remainder of the championship using only his first three homologated power units, which are already approaching the end of their operational life.
Such a scenario would significantly reduce his chances of completing the season within the four power units permitted by the FIA without incurring a grid penalty. With several races still to contest, Ferrari would have to manage its remaining engine resources particularly carefully, balancing performance requirements against the risk of reliability problems.
The wider implications of engine reliability throughout the season can also be explored through the F1 reliability and retirement statistics, which track mechanical failures and race retirements across the championship.
There is, however, still a possible way to avoid that outcome. Ferrari’s engineers in Maranello will need to analyse the damaged power unit and determine whether it can be repaired and returned to service.
If the team succeeds in recovering the affected unit, it could rejoin Lewis Hamilton’s available engine pool, improving his chances of completing the 2026 championship without further penalties. If the damage proves irreparable, Ferrari may face a difficult choice between relying on increasingly worn components and introducing another power unit at the cost of a grid sanction.
For Lewis Hamilton, the hope is that Ferrari can recover the damaged engine and prevent an already frustrating Mexico City weekend from creating another obstacle during the closing stages of the season.
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