Ferrari power unit, Vasseur: “The rivals were better at some ‘tricks’ than us, we can only change some elements in 2027”

ADUO, what a surprise “It’s a combination of elements. We made precise choices on the chassis and handling of the car, pushing more in that direction than on the engine. I think it was the right decision. Then there are elements of the power unit that we could only change next year, the rivals were better at some ‘tricks’ than us”. Thus, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur, in an interview granted to Corriere della Sera, defended the design choices made by the working group that created the winning SF-26 with Lewis Hamilton in Barcelona. Vasseur refers to ‘tricks’ that rivals have interpreted better with regards to the power unit and added that the ADUO-2 – which according to rumors will see Ferrari introduce a larger turbo upon returning from the summer break – will therefore not be sufficient to implement them, but that it is an objective aimed at 2027. The genesis of a new power unit moreover requires six months of time and therefore the timing for example relating to the use of new materials in terms of ‘raw material’ does not they can only scale up to 2027. Regarding the ADUO, Vasseur did not hide the fact that he is surprised by the fact that Mercedes will in turn be able to intervene on the power unit once in 2026 and again in 2027: “It was not the picture we had. The system, however, is not based on the results but on the calculation of the power of the internal combustion engine, and we did not have in hand all the data that the FIA has to measure the parameters. But we were surprised, only Red Bull more than us.” Red Bull has in fact been awarded the rank of reference power unit and according to what was reported by the newspaper The-Race.com, Ferrari’s delay in the internal combustion engine stands at 6-8%.

Automobile Magazine – Formula1 English, News

2026-07-03 05:30:00