Why Ferrari is encouraged by elevated fuel consumption in 2026 Sakhir F1 testing. Ferrari sees higher-than-expected fuel consumption at 2026 Bahrain F1 test as a positive.

Ferrari have revealed that they need to adjust engine settings ahead of the second pre-season test in Bahrain after discovering that their fuel consumption during the first test exceeded initial simulations. Despite this, the Scuderia remain upbeat about the progress of their 2026 F1 car and the insights gained from running under real-track conditions.

Last week’s Bahrain test offered Ferrari largely positive results with their new SF-26, built to the 2026 Formula 1 regulations. Reliability was a standout, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both completing laps on the same engine used previously during the Barcelona shakedown. Over the course of the three-day test, Ferrari covered more than 4,300km (2,671 miles) on that single power unit – the equivalent of over 14 full Grand Prix distances. The only notable issue occurred on the final day when Lewis Hamilton stopped on track after running out of fuel, although the team had anticipated this scenario.

Hamilton’s fuel stop was part of Ferrari’s plan

Team principal Fred Vasseur explained that Lewis Hamilton’s stoppage was not an unexpected problem, but rather a controlled test. Ferrari intentionally ran Hamilton’s car with minimal fuel to understand how much is required for both him and Charles Leclerc to retain the mandatory one litre needed for FIA post-race fuel checks. According to the Italian media, the exercise also highlighted that Ferrari’s actual fuel consumption was higher than the team had predicted in their pre-test simulations, providing them with crucial data to refine their calculations.

Fuel data offers positives for race strategy

Despite the higher-than-expected consumption, Ferrari view the Bahrain findings as a constructive step forward. The data allows engineers to recalibrate the engine settings for more accurate race simulations, ensuring that fuel strategy can be optimised before the season opener in Melbourne. Ferrari will now implement adjustments during the second three-day test at the Bahrain International Circuit, aiming to confirm the effectiveness of these changes under track conditions.

Refining energy recovery and engine settings

Ferrari deliberately used the same engine in both the Barcelona shakedown and the Bahrain pre-season test to validate its reliability under continuous operation. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, alongside customer teams like Haas, helped demonstrate that the power unit can endure long stints without performance drop-offs. This reassures the Scuderia that their 2026 engine is fundamentally sound, even as work continues to perfect fuel consumption models.

With the introduction of the 2026 regulations removing the costly MGU-H component, Ferrari must rely solely on the MGU-K for energy recovery. This shift has created new challenges, particularly with engine braking in low gears, where settings are currently too aggressive. The Bahrain test data gives Ferrari a clear starting point to fine-tune energy recovery systems and balance fuel usage with optimal performance for both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

In summary, the slightly higher fuel consumption observed during the first Bahrain test is not seen as a setback by Ferrari. On the contrary, the team believes it provides valuable insights to optimise engine settings, improve race simulations, and enhance energy recovery strategies, setting the stage for a competitive 2026 F1 season.