2026 Scuderia Ferrari HP F1 Team

[AR3-GP]

Is the power measurement taken with the cap (FTM,\whatever) in place?

It is with the cap. The power measurement is taken from the torque meter that is installed on the drive shaft during qualifying and the races. When the exhaust is being strangled, the ICE can't breathe as freely, so there's less power coming out of the crankshaft.

So:

The measurement method is the same for everyone

and

Every team is all but certain to get a different power output from the same engine depending on choices made

How do they then decide ADUO?

My criticism is not that the measurement isn't the same for everyone. It's that the system is not well thought out. They are going to get slightly different power outputs but the FIA will average everything for each manufacturer. The variance isn't large enough that Mercedes would not be considered the most powerful engine.

[PlatinumZealot]

The previous generation of engine has about 40% more air flow than this generation.. So I doubt that same 4 inch pipe with a flick will strangle it.

[urtsee]

It is with the cap. The power measurement is taken from the torque meter that is installed on the drive shaft during qualifying and the races. When the exhaust is being strangled, the ICE can't breathe as freely, so there's less power coming out of the crankshaft.

So:

The measurement method is the same for everyone

and

Every team is all but certain to get a different power output from the same engine depending on choices made

How do they then decide ADUO?

My criticism is not that the measurement isn't the same for everyone. It's that the system is not well thought out. They are going to get slightly different power outputs but the FIA will average everything for each manufacturer. The variance isn't large enough that Mercedes would not be considered the most powerful engine.

What if the variance is large enough that some engines meet (or don't meet) the deficit required for ADUO?

[FittingMechanics]

I've read that the flick tail system cost the engine 7-9hp because it strangles the exhaust. This is not in the spirit of the ADUO system. It is not supposed to compensate for aerodynamic choices.

That's an interesting idea, so you put a blockage in your exhaust that reduces your HP (or just make air intakes less efficient), get ADUO tokens to upgrade the engine then remove the aero blockage and you have overpowered engine?

Maybe it can't be done if they run the engines on a test rig.

[sucof]

Putting a cap on the end of your exhaust pipe reduces engine power output.

Reducing cooling in order to reduce drag, reduces engine output.
Why should I explain these??

Are you aware of a team that has reduced their cooling at the expense of power output, in today's formula which is dominated by PU?

Yes I am. EVERY team did that. I am stunned that this needs explanation, especially that I already wrote about this.
You would need many times the size of the cooling radiators than what every team runs, in order to cool the engine to its optimum efficiency. So every team loosing lots of engine power.
As I already mentioned, this is a calculation of cost benefit when you design the car.

Please, do not argue here with people over matters you do not understand, and when you do not read the replies intended to you.

[Farnborough]

As an example, from my recollection/understanding, AN "bumped" the Ferrari PU contracted to RB into the TR team on his arrival at RB, that in favour of the Renault PU and it's more favourable heat rejection statistic/characteristics, that to give advantage in cooling vs aero performance.

There's always a balance to be taken in development of the whole performance, trading certain aspect for another in performance within tight envelope is just part, a very intrinsic part, of F1 as routine.

[deadhead]

This Reddit thread is hilarious

https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/s/F1tLeduSWx

[PlatinumZealot]

Ferrari could have changed the behaviour of the PU when the blue light rules were announced, but they chose not to. Let's see if they uncork anything after mid-season.

[f1316]

Ferrari could have changed the behaviour of the PU when the blue light rules were announced, but they chose not to. Let's see if they uncork anything after mid-season.

How so? My understanding is that this is a question of hardware (turbo size) so not something that is easily (aka impossible) changed. What are you suggesting they ‘chose’ not to change? Software?

[MattLightBlue]

Ferrari could have changed the behaviour of the PU when the blue light rules were announced, but they chose not to. Let's see if they uncork anything after mid-season.

How so? My understanding is that this is a question of hardware (turbo size) so not something that is easily (aka impossible) changed. What are you suggesting they ‘chose’ not to change? Software?

The blue lights are there only for entertainment purpose, to avoid every car but 6 getting stuck on the grid.
There is no change possible since it is turbo inertia related, given by its impeller diameter.
Safety side, after Miami it could be enough the electric side triggered by low acceleration.
Personally I see the blue lights as another Toto political victory, not so important in this PU driven formula.

[PlatinumZealot]

Ferrari could have changed the behaviour of the PU when the blue light rules were announced, but they chose not to. Let's see if they uncork anything after mid-season.

How so? My understanding is that this is a question of hardware (turbo size) so not something that is easily (aka impossible) changed. What are you suggesting they ‘chose’ not to change? Software?

There is no confirmation on this turbo size rumour.

A smart engineer who has learned from the previous regulations will always go the maximum turbo size considering the engines are hybrid, and always thinks about race pace not just the start of the race.

I have been vocal on this. It would be silly to run a smaller turbo when you need as much power as possible in the higher rev range of the engine.

I feel Fred is playing reverse psychology here. The Ferrari starts are good because they have a solution for it and wanted to keep an advantage not because they have a small turbo. Why would you purposely make an engine weak for 98% percent of race? When you have overtaking aids?

[Luscion]

'We developed the engine in one way and then the rules were changed at the last minute. It's unfair.' says Fred Vasseur:

"What happened is unfair to Ferrari, the other teams were not correct. The compromise was: do we want to gain a tenth per lap or lose five positions at the start? The engineers' answer was clear from the beginning: it's better to have a good start."

"A clever move, but not very fair, I had talked about this aspect with the FIA and also in meetings with the engine manufacturers months ago. The answer was always: you have to design the car according to the regulations, not the other way around. Then half the grid complained, claiming that the starts were dangerous and so on..."

"Certainly the decision by far the least favourable for us, but there wasn't much I could do. If it's a matter of safety, it's up to the FIA alone to decide. Of course, they could have asked the other teams to start from the pit lane if the situation was as dangerous as they say..."

"I think that without the new rules some cars would still be on the grid in China. The truth is that for us it was an important choice. We developed the engine in one way and then the rules were changed at the last minute. It's unfair."

https://www.gazzetta.it/motori/ferrari/ ... -uno.shtml

[FittingMechanics]

Are they banned from starting to apply throttle before the blue lights (or previously before red lights started the countdown)? I am not sure what is the procedure.

If there was no ban on applying throttle then it would just be a matter of teams timing it according to the last car reaching the grid. If there was a ban, then yes, Ferrari lost an advantage.

[Luscion]

Are they banned from starting to apply throttle before the blue lights (or previously before red lights started the countdown)? I am not sure what is the procedure.

If there was no ban on applying throttle then it would just be a matter of teams timing it according to the last car reaching the grid. If there was a ban, then yes, Ferrari lost an advantage.

I believe they were only allowed to apply throttle once the first of the five red light turned on at the start but now there's the pre start. Fred brought up this being an issue with the 2026 regs, FIA and other teams ignored him so Ferrari designed an engine where they wouldnt suffer with turbo and battery issues at the start, then during testing some teams realized how screwed they were an lobbied for a pre start for "safety reasons". So yea Ferrari got screwed there, Max pretty much echo'd what fred said here (Fred also said it before the change), that if they were so worried about it being a safety issue they could start from the pitlane, Max also talked about it being a choice with the turbo design.



Max -

“As for the start, that’s simply the choice you make with the turbo. We consciously made a certain decision there. And those who have problems with it, well, they can also start from the pitlane.

https://www.grandprix247.com/formula-1- ... la-1-rules

[Waz]

Ferrari could have changed the behaviour of the PU when the blue light rules were announced, but they chose not to. Let's see if they uncork anything after mid-season.

How so? My understanding is that this is a question of hardware (turbo size) so not something that is easily (aka impossible) changed. What are you suggesting they ‘chose’ not to change? Software?

There is no confirmation on this turbo size rumour.

A smart engineer who has learned from the previous regulations will always go the maximum turbo size considering the engines are hybrid, and always thinks about race pace not just the start of the race.

I have been vocal on this. It would be silly to run a smaller turbo when you need as much power as possible in the higher rev range of the engine.

I feel Fred is playing reverse psychology here. The Ferrari starts are good because they have a solution for it and wanted to keep an advantage not because they have a small turbo. Why would you purposely make an engine weak for 98% percent of race? When you have overtaking aids?

I am with you. There is no suggestion from anyone at Ferrari that a smaller turbo was chosen. The only thing Fred said was that they designed the power unit as a whole to start well.

For all we know, they worked on how to spool the turbo quickly. Or, a completely different method of getting off the line quickly. Ferrari have plenty of experience with starting systems.