Ferrari’s power unit has emerged as the weak point of the SF-26
FIA verdict coming after Canada
The Canadian Grand Prix weekend in Montreal will mark the final opportunity for the FIA to assess power unit performance data before issuing its verdict through the ADUO framework, which will determine whether—and to what extent—manufacturers can intervene on their engines in an attempt to close the performance gap to the benchmark power unit.
At this stage of the 2026 Formula 1 season, that reference engine is unquestionably Mercedes. The German manufacturer has dominated the campaign so far, winning every Grand Prix and Sprint race while also securing every pole position.
Ferrari, for its part, has produced a strong overall package. The SF-26 appears to be built on excellent mechanical and aerodynamic foundations, but one weakness has become increasingly clear in the opening phase of the season: a lack of outright horsepower.
That is why there is growing anticipation in Maranello over how the FIA will classify Ferrari’s current power unit under the ADUO regulations.
The ADUO system includes two key performance deficit thresholds—2% and 4%—which determine whether manufacturers are granted one or two intervention opportunities on their power unit, along with additional budget allocation directly tied to the scale of development allowed.
If the performance deficit falls within 4%, manufacturers can access an additional budget of $3 million. If the gap exceeds 4% but remains within 6%, that figure rises to $4.65 million.
For Ferrari, the difference between those thresholds could be hugely significant—not only financially, with approximately $1.65 million more available, but also from a technical development perspective.
Regardless of the extra funding available, it is difficult to imagine Ferrari recovering an estimated 25 to 30 horsepower deficit with only a single development token if the Ferrari power unit is judged to be no more than 4% behind the Mercedes benchmark.
As the paddock turns its attention toward the post-Canada technical audit, the stakes for the Scuderia couldn’t be higher. Successfully triggering the higher development tier would provide the financial and technical flexibility needed to overhaul the SF-26’s combustion efficiency and hybrid deployment. Without that extra room to maneuver, Ferrari’s path to challenging Mercedes’ current dominance could become a much longer and more difficult climb throughout the remainder of the 2026 season.
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