Cadillac just helped Ferrari unlock more performance after disappointing engine ‘data’

Follow us on Google Discover

Cadillac may be the only F1 team without a single point scored so far in 2026, but they have just helped title-chasers Ferrari unlock a bit more performance from their engine.

F1 welcomed Cadillac onto the grid this year as the series’ new 11th team, yet strong results have so far been beyond their reach. Sergio Perez almost penned their first point in Monaco, only to slip from P10 to P15 with a 10-second penalty for being out of position at the restart.

Perez’s penalty in Monaco ruined what would have been his and Cadillac’s best result so far, instead P14 remains the Mexican’s best finish. Teammate Valtteri Bottas is also yet to finish a Grand Prix higher than P13, and he and Perez have yet to qualify higher than P19 and P18.

In contrast, Esteban Ocon’s worst qualifying result with fellow customer Ferrari engine team Haas so far this season has been P17 and his best is P12. Oliver Bearman, meanwhile, set his best qualifying result to date in 2026 with P10 in China and his worst qualifying result is P19.

Charles Leclerc has never won more than three Grands Prix in a season 🏆 Predict how many he will take in 2026?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Ferrari have asked Shell for the unique fuel that Cadillac use, as it unlocks more horsepower

Cadillac secured a customer Ferrari engine supply for their debut season, in a move that was expected to help the American outfit upon their arrival in F1. But Ferrari have also benefited from having Cadillac in their stable, as the Scuderia strive to fight for both F1 titles this term.

READ MORE: Top 10 drivers to race for Ferrari in Formula 1, ranked

That is according to a report by Formula1.it, which claims Ferrari’s fuel partner Shell initially created specific advanced sustainable fuels for the Scuderia and Cadillac. A ‘source’ close to Ferrari also now claims that the fuel Shell designed for Cadillac was stronger than their own.

Ferrari found that the fuel that Shell initially only provided Cadillac can unlock around five to six more horsepower from their engine. So, the pride of Italy have since switched to the fuel that Cadillac enjoyed, as Ferrari look to bridge their power deficit to Red Bull and Mercedes.

Shell’s fuel plays a crucial role in Ferrari’s quest to bridge their power deficit, as the Scuderia have also realised that the ‘data’ from their recent engine update in Austria shows they only gained five horsepower. So, the focus in Maranello is already shifting to their second update.

How long will Lewis Hamilton’s run of finishing every Grand Prix lap last?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Ferrari are simply struggling to unlock the extra power from their engine that they expected from the update introduced at the Austrian Grand Prix. Power unit technical director Enrico Gualtieri also knew Ferrari’s engine upgrade in Austria was “limited”, so he abated its effect.

Now, the focus in Maranello is shifting to refining the next upgrade that they will offer Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, amid the Scuderia’s increasing dream to battle for the drivers’ title. Hamilton sits third in the standings, but is only 32 points behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

It has already been said that Ferrari will take another engine update to Zandvoort or Monza later this season, with the Scuderia striving to have the upgrade ready for the first or second round after the summer break. Their next engine upgrade is expected to feature changes to the turbocharger, given that Ferrari’s smaller turbo is no longer an advantage for race starts.