Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris has sent a clear message to the rest of the grid following Ferrari’s impressive win in Spain. Norris is convinced that the Italian team already boasts the best car when it comes to cornering, and he worries that if they manage to squeeze more power out of their engine, they could become nearly unstoppable. His remarks came after Lewis Hamilton’s commanding victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, where the Ferrari driver finished nearly 24 seconds ahead of Norris.
The McLaren star noted that rivals are lucky Ferrari is still lagging in engine performance, as he said, “We’re lucky that Ferrari doesn’t have a better engine at the minute. If they had a better engine, they’re dominating. They’re the class of the field in terms of cornering performance at the minute. If they make improvements on the engine side, then they’ll embarrass everyone. We need to really get our heads down and see what improvements we can do.”
This concern arises after Ferrari made significant strides with a successful upgrade package that boosted the SF-26’s competitiveness. Hamilton not only clinched his first win for Ferrari but also put an end to Mercedes’ unbeaten streak at the start of the 2026 season. Norris highlighted Ferrari’s remarkable cornering speed, particularly in medium-speed sections, and acknowledged that McLaren still has a long way to go to reach that level. He emphasized the need for his team to act swiftly if Ferrari continues to make progress.
Ferrari Granted FIA Engine Upgrades
Ferrari’s potential for a comeback is closely tied to the new Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system introduced by Formula 1. The FIA rolled out this mechanism to help engine manufacturers close the performance gaps under the upcoming 2026 power-unit regulations. After the initial assessment, it was found that Ferrari’s internal combustion engine was lagging by more than 4% compared to the benchmark unit, which many see as Red Bull Powertrains. Because of this, Ferrari has been granted two engine upgrade opportunities this season and another two in 2027.
The ADUO system evaluates engine output at three different points throughout the year and provides extra development allowances to those manufacturers that fall behind. Currently, Ferrari ranks behind both Red Bull and Mercedes in terms of overall engine performance. However, the team’s chassis and aerodynamic package are already viewed as some of the best on the grid. McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, even went so far as to say that Ferrari boasts the best chassis in Formula 1, particularly excelling in medium-speed corners.
In the meantime, Ferrari rolled out some significant upgrades for the SF-26, making changes to the front wing, floor, diffuser, and various aerodynamic surfaces. Although they haven’t introduced any power-unit upgrades just yet, the recent development opportunities open up a solid avenue for Ferrari to bridge the gap. If they can capitalize on these improvements, Norris’ warning might just come true, as Ferrari could blend top-notch cornering performance with enhanced engine power, creating a formidable package that could dominate races all season long.
