A week ago, we were already talking about emerging concerns about Ferrari's future engine for 2026at the dawn of a new engine cycle in Formula 1. Less than a week later, the German media Auto Motor und Sport confirmed what many had already suspected: Ferrari (like other engine manufacturers) is not as confident as Mercedes in the run-up to this technical revolution, and is still trying to influence the rules of the game.
Mercedes confident, Ferrari and Red Bull insist on change
While Mercedes remains calm about the 2026 regulations, Ferrari and RB Powertrains continue to press for changes to the power split between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, at least for racing. An insistence that speaks volumes about the doubts hovering in Maranello.
Current regulations call for a balance of 55 % thermal / 45 % electric. Ferrari and Red Bull would like to shift this distribution towards more thermal power, putting forward arguments linked to safety and the appeal of the sport. Behind the scenes, however, it seems clear that the two teams are seeking above all to compensate for a delay in the development of their hybrid engines.
The German media AMuS reports that a new proposal will be discussed at the next F1 commission meeting. It would involve reducing electrical power to 200 kW during races (compared with the 350 kW initially planned), while maintaining the current distribution for qualifying. A technical compromise that betrays a certain feverishness.
Déjà vu: the spectre of 2014 looms over 2026
For Ferrari and its 2026 customers (Cadillac and Haas), the dreaded scenario is crystal clear: relive 2014, when the Mercedes engine outrageously dominated the field when V6 hybrids were introduced. A performance gap so wide that it took several seasons to close.
The fear is all the more palpable as Mercedes remains adamant. Toto Wolff doesn't mince his words: "It's a real sketch. We talk about it every week, but the rules are set. We have to give them a chance." Mercedes, as well as Audi and Honda, refuse any change, considering that any late modification would damage F1's stability and credibility.
Why the pressure from Ferrari?
If Ferrari were as serene as Mercedes, it would no doubt adopt the same line of continuity. But its insistence on adjusting the thermal/electric split suggests that the 2026 engine, which will have to equip the ScuderiaHaas and Cadillac, could fall short of expectations. And in an era when electrification will account for almost 50 % of total power, this shortfall could prove very costly.
Another revealing fact: Alpine recently abandoned its own engine project for 2026, preferring to bet on the Mercedes block. A strategic choice that speaks volumes about the current perception of engine manufacturers.
A technical and political battle
Formula 1 is also a game of influence. Ferrari and Red Bull hope to avoid a new cycle of technical domination by trying to change the thermal/electrical distribution. But to modify the regulations, a majority of 4 out of 5 motorists is required, an unlikely scenario today.
The FIA is therefore faced with a dilemma: preserve hard-won regulatory stability or open a risky loophole, with potentially far-reaching technical, economic and political consequences.
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