The Signature red team based in Maranello, the one and only Ferrari Formula 1 team, has decided to go down a completely different route than the other 10 teams in terms of development of their 2026 F1 car!
Ferrari is using Steel cylinder heads instead of Aluminium!
When aluminium has been the metal of choice for its lightweight and durability, Ferrari have chosen to, once again, do something completely unexpected. They have chosen to use steel cylinder heads in their engines for 2026.
Now this increases the weight of the Power unit but it also provides a considerable advantage over using aluminium, as steel can withstand a lot more pressure, force, and has higher temperature points.
This could mean that the Ferrari Power Unit will provide more efficient combustion than the rest of the power units out on track.
What are the other teams doing?
Mercedes and Red Bull have also gone down a different road this time. Although for these two teams it’s not so uncommon to do so!
Mercedes and Red Bull have contributed their fair share of F1 innovations which lead to their drivers enjoying more pace, downforce, or speed than other than on track.
Red Bull and Mercedes have figured out a loophole in the regulations, which allows their engines to increase the compression ratio from 16:1 to 18:1.
Now, the regulations only state for the engine’s compression ratio to be not more than 16:1 in ambient temperatures. So, Red Bull and Mercedes have found out ways to increase the compression ratio when the engine is running out on track and for it to return back to
normal under testing.
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This loophole was severely protested by the other teams!
Although it was protested by the other teams, the FIA has decided to allow Red Bull and Mercedes to carry on with their designs, but only for the remainder of this season.
Their designs will have to conform to the regulations in the next season.
Can Ferrari make a comeback this season?
2025 is a season to forget for Ferrari as it was a winless season for the Red team after 2020.
This loss comes right after Charles Leclerc won the Monaco Grand Prix in 2024, and the most sought-after team signed Sir Lewis Hamilton, 7x F1 world champion on as their other driver.
The irony here is that Carlos Sainz, the Smooth Operator, who was not so smoothly sidelined by Ferrari for the 7x World Champ, managed to get on the podium twice this year, and that too in a Williams! While Lewis Hamilton spent the entire 2025 season looking more and more depressed as the season progressed in the media interviews after each passing race.
But Charles Leclerc still managed 7 podium finishes in a red tractor in 2025!
With the new era of f1 unfolding as you read this, Ferrari have chosen their engine package. Their attempt at using steel instead of aluminium, does not only stem from the increased capabilities of the metal but also extends to how they put their engine in the car.
In 2026, the ground effect has been completely removed. That means no more weird looking lines or structures on the bottom of the 2026 F1 cars.
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What does that mean for the F1 cars?
Well, the ground effect era brought in Venturi Tunnels which created downforce on their own allowing for air to be sucked in the underneath of the car and causing the car to stick to the ground more.
But now since the venturi tunnels are gone, the Rake will make a return.
What is ‘rake’?
‘Rake’ means the difference in ride height in the front and back suspension. In F1, before the ground effect, teams used low front ride height and higher rear ride height.
Why?
Because this creates low pressure underneath the car, automatically creating high pressure over the car, and thus causing downforce.
Ferrari plan to use clever aerodynamic bodywork on their car to allow for more straight-line speed, while the making the car more agile in cornering!
Could this mean a return of a car like the Ferrari F2004? Fast, nimble, as if fitted with rockets. Ferrari outdid themselves back then and it led to world record of 7 World Championships won by none other than Michael Schumcher.
Can they remake history with an already 7x World Champion Lewis Hamilton and a supremely talented and skilled driver Charles Leclerc? To be honest, its far fetched considering they have spoiled their chances due to bad strategy calls, and the entire development process of a car for the next season requires a lot of strategy, which Ferrari have been lacking in. But, with this new era of cars and the other teams also trying out new things.
With a completely different power unit split of 50/50 between fuel and battery, no venturi effect, active aero, nimbler cars, Ferrari has all the
wherewithal to win it this season. 2026 is probably the best opportunity for Ferrari to redeem their legendary status in F1 Ferrari seem to have the right steps in the right direction this time around with the development of their car.
Now, what remains to be seen is which manufacturer’s power unit comes out on top? Because in 2026, it all rests on how the power unit performs, a few horsepower less and its game over.
Who do you think will come out on top?
Will it be Mercedes?
Red Bull Ford?
Or is it going to be Ferrari?
We will find out soon enough in Australia. Until then, Forza Ferrari!
