A disappointing Ferrari engine
A few weeks ago, on the pages of FormulaPassion, we wondered how it was possible that Ferrari, at the beginning of 2026, presented a power unit so underperforming compared to those of rivals Red Bull and Mercedes.
The question – obviously – went unanswered, but a recent article by the Germans at Auto, Motor und Sport provided a clue to understand what happened in Maranello’s engine department. Journalist Tobias Gruner highlighted how 3 precise strategic choices were made that effectively dashed the hopes of Leclerc and Hamilton of being powered by a super engine, at least at the start of the championship.
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1. The smaller turbocharger
The choices made by Ferrari engineers were taken consciously, sacrificing some power to gain advantages in other aspects, Gruner pointed out.
Firstly, the smaller turbocharger which was designed to improve starts and responsiveness at low revs, at the expense of maximum power.
However, the FIA decided to intervene in the starting procedure for safety reasons, effectively nullifying Ferrari’s advantage. A choice made in the name of safety that infuriated team principal Frederic Vasseur.
2. Ferrari’s FTM winglet
But not only the turbocharger, because Auto, Motor und Sport highlighted how “the ingenious idea of positioning a small winglet behind the exhaust pipe generates additional downforce, however, with the increase in exhaust gas back pressure, it slightly reduces engine power.”
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3. A design compromise
Last but not least, Ferrari’s decision to design an engine that could operate at relatively high temperatures. The goal was clear: to use smaller radiators for aerodynamic purposes. To this, a special cylinder head was added to cope with the higher heat, Gruner explained. All choices that led to a conscious reduction in the power delivered by the SF-26’s power unit.
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