Charles Leclerc warned that Ferrari’s 2026 power unit trails both Mercedes and the Red Bull‑Ford hybrid, leaving the Scuderia with a steep climb to challenge for wins. Early races in Melbourne, Shanghai and Suzuka saw the Italian cars lose pace as the German team built momentum. Leclerc said the deficit shows up on the straights, where power matters most.

Ferrari’s modest upgrade for the Miami Grand Prix added a sliver of speed but still left the team behind McLaren, whose own package delivered a noticeable boost on the series’ first North American stop. The squad now hopes the FIA’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) process will grant permission to tweak the engine after Montreal, potentially narrowing the gap.

Leclerc stressed that optimisation, not just hardware, will dictate results as teams continue to refine complex powertrain‑chassis packages. He praised the factory’s relentless part‑development, noting gains are larger than in previous seasons. Yet he admitted full system efficiency remains elusive and driver input still varies. Without a power boost, Ferrari must rely on rapid upgrades to stay competitive this year.