F1: Is Ferrari Falling Behind in Its 2026 Master Plan?

As the 2026 Formula 1 season draws closer, concerns are growing around Ferrari’s preparedness. Reports suggest that the Italian team is lagging behind its own development schedule, with the most alarming issue being the delayed first firing of its new power unit.

The 2025 season proved to be a major disappointment for Ferrari. Charles Leclerc failed to secure a single race victory, while Lewis Hamilton endured a historic low point by finishing a season without a podium for the first time in his career. As a result, Ferrari slipped from second to fourth place in the constructors’ championship standings.

Following the season, Ferrari’s management promised a strong comeback under the new 2026 regulations. However, recent reports from Italian media indicate that these ambitions may already be under threat.

According to sources, cockpit adjustments for both Leclerc and Hamilton have been finalized, and the official chassis dimensions have received approval. Despite this progress, the new engine intended for the 2026 campaign has yet to be fired up for the first time—a delay that places Ferrari at a disadvantage compared to its rivals.

An article published by Auto Racer raised further concerns, stating that Ferrari is behind schedule internally. Some insiders even claim that a sense of disorder and uncertainty has begun to take hold within the team at Maranello.

In contrast, Honda, Mercedes, and Audi have all officially confirmed that their 2026 power units have already completed initial bench runs. Ferrari, however, has yet to make any public announcement on this front. Team sources expect the first engine start to take place in the coming days.

Ferrari is set to unveil its 2026 challenger, the SF-26, on January 23—just three days before pre-season testing begins in Barcelona. This tight timeline underscores the pressure mounting on the Scuderia as it races against the clock ahead of a crucial regulatory reset.