Ferrari Accelerates 2026 Development as Engine Reliability Emerges as Key Concern

Ferrari has intensified its push toward the 2026 Formula One regulations, with team leadership in Maranello prioritizing rapid development amid growing concern over the reliability of its next-generation engine.

Team principal Fred Vasseur is overseeing an aggressive development program aimed at delivering a competitive car for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc under Formula One’s sweeping 2026 technical overhaul. Ferrari’s approach follows a difficult 2025 season, where early title ambitions were abandoned after it became clear the SF-25 would not meet expectations.

Vasseur made the strategic decision in April to halt meaningful development of the 2025 car, redirecting wind tunnel time and engineering resources toward the new rules cycle. Formula One will introduce its most extensive regulation changes in decades in 2026, combining revised aerodynamic concepts with entirely new power unit specifications.

Ferrari introduced only one further major upgrade to the SF-25 after shifting focus, but a rear suspension update debuting in Belgium failed to resolve chronic ride-height issues that plagued the team throughout the season. Those struggles reinforced the urgency behind Ferrari’s long-term pivot.

As development accelerates, reports indicate Ferrari is working at maximum capacity on its 2026 project, with engineers pushing performance limits before refining reliability and efficiency. While confidence has grown within Ferrari’s power unit department, concerns remain that the new engine may face reliability challenges under the complex 2026 rules.

The upcoming regulations will dramatically alter power delivery, increasing the electrical contribution from 20 percent to 50 percent, eliminating the MGU-H, and mandating the use of fully sustainable fuels. These changes place unprecedented emphasis on energy recovery systems and thermal efficiency, areas where early reliability issues can prove costly.

Ferrari is now working urgently to resolve emerging problems, with plans to introduce constant updates at the start of the 2026 season to optimize performance across multiple components. Persistent doubts remain over whether Ferrari’s engine will match the early benchmark expected from Mercedes, which is widely viewed as a potential leader under the new rules.

Engine performance is expected to define the competitive order in 2026, as aerodynamic and chassis regulations have been shaped around the increased electrical output. A slow start could lock teams into prolonged struggles.

Beyond the power unit, Ferrari will also revert to push-rod suspension in 2026 after a problematic switch to pull-rod geometry in 2025 left the team at a disadvantage, underscoring how critical correct technical direction will be in the new era.