Ferrari’s 2026 engine is ‘worse’ than Audi’s even though they’ve been around 77 years longer

Ferrari's 2026 internal combustion engine is reportedly performing worse than newcomer Audi's power unit under the sport's new regulations. According to journalist Julianne Cerasoli via UOL Esporte, Ferrari's engine development currently trails behind Audi. This comes after the FIA's ADUO declared Ferrari were over 4% behind the leading Red Bull power unit, granting the Maranello team upgrade allowances alongside Audi and Honda.

Ferrari have prioritized aerodynamic development on the SF-26, which helped Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton secure one win each in 2026. However, power unit reliability concerns and an abandoned turbocharger upgrade have hindered their engine progress, presenting challenges for team principal Fred Vasseur.