The W17 is fast, very fast, and excels at energy recovery. But Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton currently hold what may be their only advantage: a power unit equipped with a smaller turbo compared to the competition, which reduces turbo lag. This not only gives them better starts from a standstill but also allows for stronger exits from very slow corners and better performance on so-called “stop-and-go” or “rear-limited” tracks.
Ferrari strong already in Bahrain, and it’s no coincidence
It’s no accident that Ferrari impressed in Bahrain, a circuit defined by heavy braking and strong acceleration zones. On tracks like this, Leclerc and Hamilton could create extra challenges for the Russell-Antonelli pairing. And who knows? They might even have a chance at victory.
Considering the W17’s top-speed capabilities, claiming Ferrari could win on tracks like Sakhir, Baku, Montreal, Austria, Mexico, Las Vegas, or Abu Dhabi may be slightly optimistic. The foundation is there, but it’s too early to say that the SF-26 can truly challenge its rivals head-to-head.
Opportunities on stop-and-go tracks
However, given Ferrari’s strong abilities in starting from a standstill or near-standstill, there is a good chance the team will be highly competitive on circuits like Monaco, Hungary, and Singapore, all classified as “rear-limited” so far. Even Zandvoort in the Netherlands could play to Ferrari’s strengths, despite being known as a circuit that stresses the front tires. With fewer long straights and heavy braking zones, the tight layout could allow Maranello’s team to exert more influence over the race.
The year 2026 may not be Ferrari’s championship season, but the team could still achieve some notable successes along the way.
