Lewis Hamilton has endured a disappointing start to his Ferrari career, but joined from Mercedes with Formula 1’s 2026 engine and chassis regulations very much in mind.
The pinnacle of motorsport will overhaul the rulebook in the 2026 F1 season to have lighter cars, with engines that produce a greater output of electrical power. Formula 1’s decision to increase the electrical output from a 20/80 split to 50/50 also tempted Audi to join the grid.
F1 is also removing the MGU-H, which recovers energy from the turbo, as well as moving to 100% sustainable fuels in 2026. Yet the major overhaul gives teams the chance to dominate, much like Hamilton and Mercedes did after F1 introduced the 1.6L V6 turbo-hybrids in 2014.
The Silver Arrows are even the favourites to hit the ground running with the 2026 F1 engine regulations, even though George Russell feels claims that Mercedes will have the best 2026 F1 engine are ‘nonsense’. Mercedes will produce McLaren’s, Williams’ and Alpine’s engines.
F1 paddock has many ‘unknowns’ about Ferrari’s 2026 regulations engine
Ferrari will also supply power units in 2026 to Haas and Cadillac after agreeing to supply the brand’s debut in Formula 1 until General Motors starts to build its own engine for Cadillac in 2029. Red Bull will also become an engine supplier in 2026 as Honda is joining Aston Martin.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about F1’s 2026 engine and chassis regulations
| TEAM | ENGINE |
| Red Bull | Red Bull Powertrains (in partnership with Ford) |
| Ferrari | Ferrari |
| McLaren | Mercedes |
| Mercedes | Mercedes |
| Aston Martin | Honda |
| Racing Bulls | Red Bull Powertrains (in partnership with Ford) |
| Haas | Ferrari |
| Williams | Mercedes |
| Alpine | Mercedes |
| Audi | Audi |
| Cadillac | Ferrari |
But RACER now reports that the ‘general consensus’ across the paddock is that Red Bull and Audi may ‘find it toughest’ at the start of the 2026 F1 season. Audi will take over Sauber as a full factory team from the off next year, with their power unit built at Neuberg an der Donau.
Yet despite the fears that Red Bull and Audi may hit the ground on the wrong foot, there are ‘more unknowns’ about the power units that Ferrari and Honda are building for the 2026 F1 regulations. The potential of their 2026 engines remains a mystery among team personnel.
Lewis Hamilton will not like the fears about Ferrari’s potential and Mercedes’ advantage
Doubts about the potential of Ferrari’s 2026 F1 regulations engine will not come as music to Hamilton’s ears. There had been some hope for the Scuderia, with claims that Ferrari’s 2026 engine will be a match for Mercedes’. But the Silver Arrows are seemingly now edging away.
Red Bull, who have joined forces with Ford for its help and expertise regarding the electronic aspects, in particular, are concerned about the potential strength of Mercedes’ 2026 engine. It is said that Red Bull lead fears in the F1 paddock that Mercedes may dominate F1 in 2026.
Hamilton walked out on Mercedes after losing faith in their prospects, with the seven-time F1 champion signing with Ferrari in February 2024 to join on a two-year deal from 2025. Yet he is having a disappointing start in Maranello, and 2026 might not be any better now, as well.
Ferrari are still yet to see Hamilton secure a Grand Prix finish in 2025 and he only boasts 79 points after 10 rounds. His former Mercedes teammate Russell, on the other hand, won the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix to reach 136 points with his fifth podium of the campaign so far.
