Ferrari now realise they’re ‘struggling to master’ engine issue many hoped would bridge 30hp deficit

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Ferrari had hoped to start overcoming their power deficit to Mercedes without the aid of ADUO, but the team now concede that they are struggling to fine-tune their engine.

Mercedes have lived up to the expectations that many had put on the Silver Arrows prior to the 2026 season by designing the best power unit for the new regulations. Their efforts have also helped Alpine to rise up the order, after entering a new customer engine deal this term.

A great deal of Mercedes’ advantage, especially over Ferrari, has been thanks to their hybrid technology, through their energy management and battery capabilities. But Ferrari also have gains to unlock with their internal combustion engine (ICE) for them to challenge Mercedes.

It is widely believed in F1 that Ferrari are set to receive ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) once the FIA rules on which teams can upgrade their ICEs after the Canadian Grand Prix. Although, Ferrari are not expected to run their upgraded ICE until July.

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Ferrari realise they are struggling to fine-tune their engine without the help of ADUO

Ferrari are already designing engine upgrades ahead of gaining ADUO, too, with it believed that the Scuderia are working on modifying their turbocharger and combustion chamber to cut their deficit to Mercedes. The Scuderia no longer feel they can get close without ADUO.

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Formula1.it even reports that Ferrari’s 2026 F1 regulations engine might lack as much as 30 horsepower compared to Mercedes’ engine. Many inside the Scuderia had hoped to bridge at least part of their deficit through fine-tuning their engine, but they concede they cannot.

Ferrari’s engineers are believed to be ‘struggling to master’ fine-tuning their engine and will only stand a chance of reducing their deficit to Mercedes once they receive ADUO. It is even said that the Miami Grand Prix was a ‘rude awakening’ after Ferrari had raised expectations.

The FIA will grant one upgrade for all ICEs that are between 2-4% worse than the benchmark engine and two upgrades for engines that are between 4-10% worse than the best unit. Any engines that are more than 10% worse will also now merit additional time to do bench tests.

Team principal Fred Vasseur promised a “different” championship from Miami prior to the five-week break in the calendar, due to the cancellations of the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Ferrari even revealed the most upgrades by any team in Florida, with a total of 11.

Yet Charles Leclerc was Ferrari’s lead driver during qualifying for the Sprint and the Miami GP, but only took P4 on the Sprint grid and P3 for the Grand Prix. Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes also held a 0.345s margin over Leclerc as he got pole position for the Miami GP.