Ferrari expert reveals F1 car development ‘weakness’ that leaves them one step behind Mercedes

Follow us on Google Discover

Former Haas mechanic Mark Slade has revealed the ‘weakness’ in Ferrari’s way of working that often leaves them behind their F1 rivals after working closely with engineers from Maranello for many years.

With the new regulations providing the first new engine formula since 2014, everybody knew that the 2026 world championship would be decided by the engineers who managed to come up with the strongest package.

At this moment in time, it looks like Mercedes will be returning to their perch ahead of the rest of the teams on the F1 grid, but Ferrari are a close second.

The Maranello-based outfit are currently on the hunt for their first world title since winning the 2008 constructors’ championship, and it’s been a long 18 years for the ever-impatient tifosi.

However, things are looking optimistic. There are still 23 race weekends left to contest, meaning that there is a lot of points up for grabs for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

Mark Slade details how Ferrari’s way of developing an F1 car often leaves them a step behind

During a recent appearance on Peter Windsor’s official YouTube channel, former Haas engineer Mark Slade was asked for his thoughts on Ferrari’s start to 2026, and how they can gain time to the current benchmark that Mercedes have set.

Having worked closely with Ferrari engineers during his time at the Scuderia-powered Haas F1 team, Slade revealed how the way of working in Maranello often means that the Italian team are on the back foot to their rivals.

He said, “They’ve obviously done a very good job, not quite as good a job as Mercedes have done, obviously. My experience of working with a team that had Ferrari involvement was that Ferrari, they’ve never quite been as integrated across the different areas of the car.

“So, integrating aero with suspension, and then with the power unit has been a bit of a problem. And I think that each department has tended to have its own ideas about what it should do and where that manifests itself.

“I think with most problems is when suspension doesn’t necessarily tie in with the aero concept of the car, and that’s been a bit of a weakness. They have obviously always had a very strong, or certainly recently have had a very strong engine department.

“I think they’re very good on energy recovery and management. So I think that’s why they’re currently looking like the next best car in terms of overall race performance.

“But as you’ve hinted at, the big problem is that once the season starts, even if they progress, Mercedes will be progressing as well. So it will be difficult for them to claw back the performance margin that currently exists.”

Fred Vasseur’s job could be in danger if he doesn’t get his hands on a championship this year

The very worst case scenario for Ferrari this season, and one that is very plausible, is that they fail to live up to expectations again, and the leading figures within the team all depart at the end of the year.

Hamilton’s retirement has been touted ever since he set foot in Maranello, and Leclerc’s frustrations with Ferrari were becoming increasingly public as the 2025 campaign ensued.

The Monegasque has been tipped to leave Ferrari at the end of the year, in favour of a team who are more likely to win a title in the foreseeable future.

In the case of Fred Vasseur, it has been reported that the Frenchman simply has to win a title to save his job.

The stakes are high in Maranello this year, and there’s only one thing that can see them allayed: a world title.