Ferrari appoints former Mercedes power unit engineer Jasper van Schaick

Ferrari has brought former Mercedes engineer Jasper van Schaick into its technical operation, adding experience in power-unit systems and chassis integration as the team looks to address its performance deficit.

Van Schaick confirmed on LinkedIn that he had started at Ferrari this month as a chassis vehicle system specialist. His move follows a spell at Mercedes that began in 2018, when he joined as a mechanical engineer and worked on systems for the Formula 1 power unit, as well as integrating the engine with the chassis.

Van Schaick brings experience across the power unit and chassis

In September 2024, Van Schaick moved into a concept engineering role at Mercedes, developing and implementing performance ideas. He was part of the organisation during its run of four constructors’ titles from 2018 to 2021.

His departure from Mercedes came in May. He had been preparing to return to the Netherlands after 11 years in the UK, but his plans changed and he has now joined Ferrari. The appointment also puts him back alongside Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari’s technical group includes former Mercedes deputy Jerome D’Ambrosio, now working as Fred Vasseur’s number two, and chassis technical director Loic Serra.

The arrival comes as Ferrari continues to search for a better balance between its engine and chassis performance. The FIA assessed the team’s internal combustion engine as at least four per cent behind the benchmark, giving Ferrari access to two upgrades through the ADUO system. Neither development has delivered a significant step, while one estimate puts the total gain at five horsepower and the remaining gap at around 20.

Ferrari’s engine deficit may take time to close

Vasseur has said that substantial progress before 2027 was not a realistic expectation. Van Schaick may therefore have limited influence on the first version of next year’s power unit, with his impact more likely to emerge later in the season.

Ferrari’s aggressive chassis concept has brought strong cornering performance, but the trade-off has not delivered the overall result the team wanted. Hamilton has said Ferrari loses as much as four-tenths on the straights against rivals, making a better compromise a central challenge. The latest picture of Ferrari’s SF-26 development and the team’s reported deficit ahead of its Austin upgrade underline the scale of the task.

Van Schaick’s expertise spans the very areas Ferrari needs to bring together. Whether that translates into a measurable improvement will depend on how quickly the team can turn his experience into gains on track.