Ferrari are failing to silence ‘fears’ about one ‘important’ part on Lewis Hamilton’s 2026 F1 car

Follow us on Google Discover

Lewis Hamilton endured the worst season of his 19-year F1 career during his first term for Ferrari in 2025, and there are worrying noises about their 2026 regulations project.

The 40-year-old moved to Maranello in the hope of reviving his storied but stuttering career, having seen Mercedes fail to adapt to the ground-effect regulations. Hamilton agreed to join Ferrari in February 2024 after his first-ever winless seasons, but he faced another in 2025.

Seven-time champion Hamilton also failed to get at least one Grand Prix podium in a season for the first time ever after joining Ferrari in 2025. Fourth place in Imola, Austria, Britain and the United States proved to be the best that Hamilton managed in a Grand Prix with Ferrari.

His best results during the 2025 F1 season instead came from the first two of this term’s six F1 Sprints. Hamilton won the Sprint in China from pole position during round two out of 24, and he sealed P3 in the Miami Sprint in round six after pitting for dry tyres at the ideal time.

Ferrari are failing to silence the fears that their 2026 F1 regulations engine is not on track

Team principal Fred Vasseur stopping the development of Ferrari’s 2025 car in April to focus on the 2026 F1 regulations was decisive in the outcome of the Scuderia’s season. Ferrari did not want to use any wind tunnel time on aerodynamic upgrades at the expense of next year.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2026 F1 engine and aero regulations

But Corriere Della Sera now reports that while Ferrari should be in full swing with their 2026 regulations car, the pride of Italy are failing to silence the ‘fears’ that their new engine is not on track. Ferrari suffered a setback with the exits of ‘several’ key engineers to rival F1 teams.

Next year’s regulations overhaul will make the power units ‘one of the most important’ parts of every team’s cars. Ferrari are one of the five manufacturers creating engines with a 50/50 electrical and combustion power output for 2026 with Audi, Honda, Mercedes and Red Bull.

The Scuderia are now striving to get their engine project back running smoothly. Ferrari plan to unveil their car for 2026 at Fiorano in the week of January 20 and also immediately hold a shakedown at their test track before the behind-closed-doors pre-season test in Barcelona.

Audi’s 2026 F1 regulations engine could be ahead of Ferrari’s power unit

Audi are among the rival F1 outfits who have raided Maranello ahead of the German brand’s debut in 2026, having taken over Sauber. Wolf Zimmermann was one of the central figures in Ferrari’s engine department since his arrival from Mercedes in 2014, but he has joined Audi.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

There have been whispers in the paddock over recent months that Audi’s 2026 engine could be ahead of Ferrari’s power unit for the new regulations era. Zimmermann and Lars Schmidt both leaving Ferrari to join Audi also played a part in their engine producing a lack of results.

Ferrari have hired several new faces to help get their engine project back on track, with a lot joining from Renault after the French automotive giant closed Alpine’s works engine division. But Ferrari’s new engine staff from Renault instantly shared concerns that the unit is lacking.