The SF-26 is a very strong car from a chassis perspective. However, its power unit suffers from a major deficit compared to its main rivals, preventing Ferrari from fighting for victories. The latest rumor from the paddock suggests a massive change could be on the horizon for the 2026 engine.
The Sprint Qualifying session in Canada highlighted once again the performance shortfalls of the SF-26 power unit, which reportedly lacks around 30 horsepower compared to Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains. Given that the new 2026 F1 technical regulations lean heavily on engine efficiency, Ferrari currently finds itself on the back foot. However, according to a new report, things could change much sooner than expected.
At the start of this 2026 season, Ferrari is paying the price for flawed development choices made during the initial design phase of their new power unit. The concepts developed by Wolf Zimmermann did not deliver the projected results. Consequently, the Maranello team had to manage the crisis by modifying and adapting the internal combustion engine (ICE) used during the previous season. In the paddock, this is currently being referred to as a “transition engine,” with the understanding that major revisions will be introduced as soon as possible to close the gap to their main competitors.
Will the new Ferrari engine arrive before Spa?
According to reports from Autoracer.it, Ferrari initially planned to introduce its upgraded power unit at the Belgian Grand Prix, when the Scuderia would naturally unbox the third power unit of each driver’s allocation. However, Canal+ has recently claimed that the new engine could make its track debut as early as the Austrian Grand Prix at the end of June—two races ahead of Spa-Francorchamps. While this remains to be officially confirmed, it would be highly positive news for the Scuderia. The SF-26 is expected to struggle immensely at the Red Bull Ring and Silverstone due to its straight-line speed deficit. Of course, the timeline will also heavily depend on the upcoming ADUO decision.
Between the Canadian GP and the Monaco GP, the FIA is set to announce which manufacturers will qualify for this regulatory mechanism, which grants struggling engine suppliers a concession framework to catch up to the front-runners. Ferrari is hoping to fall within the 4% performance deficit threshold. This would grant them two development tokens to spend in 2026 and another two to utilize for the following season. The situation remains fluid on all fronts, driving an intense political battle behind the scenes. In the meantime, Ferrari’s immediate objective is damage limitation and maximizing on-track results before the hardware upgrades arrive.
Navigating these early-season engine deficits while balancing complex political negotiations with the FIA represents a defining challenge for Ferrari’s campaign. As the 2026 championship battle intensifies, the timing and execution of this power unit upgrade will likely determine whether the Scuderia can salvage their competitive season and fight for the top step of the podium.
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