Will Ferrari introduce a new engine to push the SF-26 to its limits during the upcoming Bahrain test session? There is also particular attention being paid to gearbox wear, an element that is heavily stressed under driving conditions. Here are all the details.
During the second pre-season test session in Bahrain, Ferrari intends to focus more on outright performance with the SF-26. The question arises: will a new engine be introduced for this purpose? At the same time, a topic that now requires special attention is gearbox wear, a component that is subjected to significant stress, especially under the new regulatory framework.
We have already seen how the SF-26 changed significantly during the first week of testing. In addition to updates to the floor, a flatter front wing and modifications to the diffuser, there were also changes related to internal fluid dynamics aimed at improving airflow management and maximizing the efficiency of the cooling system. Ferrari also debuted a second chassis specification. The feedback from the first technical innovations met the team’s expectations, and now further upgrades that have received FIA approval are expected to appear on track.
After completing both the Barcelona test and the three-day session in Bahrain with a single engine, will the Scuderia install a new one? That is one of the key questions ahead of the final test days. The intention appears to be to explore the performance ceiling of the SF-26 more aggressively, something that would logically require a fresh power unit.
New engine and gearbox for the SF-26 in the search for the limit
The power unit has covered a total of 4,300 kilometers between Spain and Bahrain. As reported by Motorsport.com, this figure corresponds to the equivalent of 14 Grands Prix completed without encountering any reliability issues. It is also worth recalling that Ferrari used Shell’s homologated 2026 fuel during these sessions, meaning the engine was already operating under representative future conditions.
The issue encountered by Lewis Hamilton at the end of Day 3 was merely a test related to fuel pick-up inside the tank, designed to determine the minimum fuel level required. It was not linked to a reliability problem with the power unit itself. The engine that was used can now be analyzed by Enrico Gualtieri and his department to fully understand its strengths and weaknesses following extensive mileage.
For the February 18 to 20 test session, the SF-26 is expected to be equipped with a completely new power unit, which can be pushed slightly harder in order to evaluate its maximum performance potential. This would allow Ferrari to gather more aggressive data in terms of engine modes, deployment strategies and overall performance mapping.
There should also be a new gearbox. Under the new regulations, this component could once again be subject to significant wear. Drivers, in order to recharge the battery, are using shorter gear ratios and higher revs, particularly to minimize turbo lag at the start. Running the engine at high revolutions can negatively impact the gears that make up the transmission, increasing mechanical stress over time.
At Maranello, engineers could therefore introduce structural modifications to reinforce the gearbox area and prevent potential failures. When designing the power unit, Ferrari opted for a smaller Honeywell turbine. This component helps reduce turbo lag, providing greater responsiveness, especially during race starts and acceleration phases.
Frédéric Vasseur is reportedly opposing changes proposed by rival teams that are being justified on safety grounds. A year ago, the team principal had already warned about this issue, but at the time his concerns were not taken into account. Ferrari subsequently worked around the problem internally, developing an engineering solution. Now, it may be up to the other teams to adapt.
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