2026 Scuderia Ferrari HP F1 Team

[Emag]

Ferrari believes that after today's race, they are on average 0.4/0.5 seconds slower than Mercedes.

However, there are "good" updates coming soon to the chassis, and they plan to close a large part of the gap with these.

It will be a very busy year in terms of updates.

I think that's more or less in line with what you get if you extrapolate the strategy difference from the average pace.

They will need to outdevelop Mercedes by a large margin to make up for the engine differences though, which makes the job way harder.

[F1subman25]

I have to say, I believe LEC was nursing an issue after the 3rd VSC. He was nowhere pace wise.

I think he was underfueled as they kept asking him to do Lico. Probably a dozen times in the last 10 laps they reminded him about lico

Team likely expected a few SC or a few more VSC periods but overall grid reliability was better than expected

[AR3-GP]

I have to say, I believe LEC was nursing an issue after the 3rd VSC. He was nowhere pace wise.

I think he was underfueled as they kept asking him to do Lico. Probably a dozen times in the last 10 laps they reminded him about lico

Team likely expected a few SC or a few more VSC periods but overall grid reliability was better than expected

There were 3 VSC in the race. I think he just far too much fuel against Russell.

[ScuderiaLeo]

Leclerc said they messed up on the setup and something went wrong, but it's not immediately clear what from the data

[Jambier]

Overall I’m still happy.

Good start even if it will be difficult to catch Mercedes.

[jambuka]

Realistically what updates they can bring on the PU side ?

[AR3-GP]

Realistically what updates they can bring on the PU side ?

Nothing other than software optimization (could be worth a bit of laptime) unless they qualify for ADUO after the 7th round.

[GrizzleBoy]

Leclerc said they messed up on the setup and something went wrong, but it's not immediately clear what from the data

Too much wing, possibly.

Considering Ferrari made all their gains in corners, maybe they were losing too much in terms of efficiency over a whole lap by to using too much power to get the car up to speed on the straights.

[jambuka]

Realistically what updates they can bring on the PU side ?

Nothing other than software optimization (could be worth a bit of laptime) unless they qualify for ADUO after the 7th round.

What’s the qualification criteria?

[AR3-GP]

Realistically what updates they can bring on the PU side ?

Nothing other than software optimization (could be worth a bit of laptime) unless they qualify for ADUO after the 7th round.

What’s the qualification criteria?

Combustion engine performance delta between 2% and 4% can introduce 1 extra PU homologation in 2026, and 1 extra PU homologation in 2027. So across 2026 and 2027 they would be able to introduce 3 new PU homologations (2026 in-season upgrade, 2027 launch spec, 2027 in-season upgrade).

If the ICE delta is greater than 4%, they get 2 in-season upgrades in both '26 and '27.

[ryaan2904]

Nothing other than software optimization (could be worth a bit of laptime) unless they qualify for ADUO after the 7th round.

What’s the qualification criteria?

Combustion engine performance delta between 2% and 4% can introduce 1 extra PU homologation in 2026, and 1 extra PU homologation in 2027. So across 2026 and 2027 they would be able to introduce 3 new PU homologations (2026 in-season upgrade, 2027 launch spec, 2027 in-season upgrade).

If the ICE delta is greater than 4%, they get 2 in-season upgrades in both '26 and '27.

Knowing this, i think its great that Ferrari are focusing on chassis upgrades. Even matching mercs in terms of pace forces merc to use more power. If they use more power others qualify for ADUO. A good chassis is a win win

[jambuka]

Nothing other than software optimization (could be worth a bit of laptime) unless they qualify for ADUO after the 7th round.

What’s the qualification criteria?

Combustion engine performance delta between 2% and 4% can introduce 1 extra PU homologation in 2026, and 1 extra PU homologation in 2027. So across 2026 and 2027 they would be able to introduce 3 new PU homologations (2026 in-season upgrade, 2027 launch spec, 2027 in-season upgrade).

If the ICE delta is greater than 4%, they get 2 in-season upgrades in both '26 and '27.

Even if they get it, Ferrari needs to successfully figure out Mercedes engine trick

[ToffeeTyres]

I’m happy with how the car performed shame about the strategy. Good to see Lewis back, having a car he can trust and feel is what he missed with last regs. Great start to the season for both drivers and not too far behind let’s hope it continues and in the fight

[MB_Racer]

It's a shame there won't be a Bahrain GP this year (probably), Ferrari might actually do very well there

Very true… they could have won a race this year at least…

About Melbourne, Ferrari really needs to fire their entire strategy team Jesus …

They have two cars … they can slip the strategy… no stress and they still manage to screw it up wow seriously

[AR3-GP]

They have two cars … they can slip the strategy… no stress and they still manage to screw it up wow seriously

It isn't just 2 cars. It's two drivers trying to win a driver's championship. Charles Leclerc outqualified Lewis Hamilton and gets priority. Mercedes did the same thing in their good years. 2nd car isn't allowed to undermine the first.