Ferrari favourites for the title? Some are convinced
It is not just anyone making such a bold prediction. Reigning world champion Lando Norris has openly admitted that Ferrari could become the dominant force in Formula 1 if one key factor falls into place.
The Austrian Grand Prix weekend is about to get underway, and the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship arrives in a very different shape compared to the opening rounds of the season.
Mercedes had completely dominated the first six races of the campaign, but Barcelona marked a major turning point. Ferrari stole the spotlight thanks to an exceptionally effective upgrade package and a flawless performance from Lewis Hamilton, securing a commanding victory with a comfortable margin and leaving its rivals with no opportunity to fight back.
That result inevitably raised concerns throughout the paddock. Mercedes is certainly among the teams keeping a close eye on Ferrari’s progress. Team principal Toto Wolff had already warned before the Austrian Grand Prix that Mercedes must continue improving at a rapid pace, stressing that its rivals—especially Ferrari—are making huge strides.
Ferrari’s power unit joins the title fight
There is, however, another important factor entering the equation: the performance gains made possible under the ADUO regulations. Ferrari is set to introduce a revised version of its power unit in Austria which, combined with a new fuel developed by Shell, could deliver an additional five horsepower.
This represents only the opening stage of a broader development programme that is expected to reach its full potential after the summer break, most likely between the Dutch Grand Prix and the Italian Grand Prix.
The power unit had been widely regarded as the true weak point of Ferrari’s 2026 project. From a technical standpoint, however, the car designed by Loïc Serra and his engineering team had already demonstrated on several occasions that it possessed one of the strongest chassis and aerodynamic packages on the grid under the right conditions.
Barcelona provided perhaps the clearest evidence of that potential. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has long been considered one of Formula 1’s most demanding proving grounds, and Ferrari impressed not only with outright pace but also with outstanding braking performance, remarkable stability through high-speed corners, and exceptional tyre degradation management.
Tyre management had been one of Ferrari’s greatest weaknesses for several seasons. Today, however, it has become one of the strongest aspects of the SF-26, highlighting the work carried out under the technical leadership of Loïc Serra, who is widely regarded as one of the sport’s foremost experts in this field.
Norris sounds the alarm: “If they improve the engine, they’ll lap everyone”
It is the overall strength of Ferrari’s package that is causing concern among its rivals. With an already highly competitive chassis and aerodynamic platform, many within the paddock believe that a further step forward from the V6 power unit could completely transform a championship that, only a few weeks ago, appeared to be firmly in Mercedes’ hands.
It is not only the Brackley-based team that is watching Ferrari’s progress with concern. McLaren, which uses Mercedes power units, is also paying close attention to the Scuderia’s rapid development.
The belief that additional engine performance could hand Ferrari a decisive advantage is shared by Lando Norris, who expressed his views in no uncertain terms:
“We’re lucky Ferrari don’t have a better engine at the moment. If they did, they’d dominate. Right now, they’re the best car on the grid through the corners, and we’re nowhere near them. That’s the reality. We’re very, very far from where we should be. If they improve their engine, they’ll lap everyone.”
Those are significant words from the reigning world champion, who has endured a difficult season with a McLaren MCL40 that has struggled with several performance limitations since the beginning of the year.
Norris’ comments also sound like a clear warning to Mercedes High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth, which will now be under pressure to respond to Ferrari’s upcoming engine developments. Mercedes is also expected to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the current regulations to introduce further upgrades to its own power unit, although it is believed to have less room for improvement than its Italian rivals.
Meanwhile, no team is standing still. Mercedes will bring additional upgrades to the Austrian Grand Prix, while McLaren is expected to unveil its own interpretation of the now-famous “Macarena Wing.”
That alone underlines how Ferrari’s 2026 car has rapidly become a technical and aerodynamic benchmark across the Formula 1 grid, transforming the Scuderia from a team chasing the frontrunners into one that others are now trying to copy.
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