Leclerc pinpoints Ferrari Power Unit deficit compared to Mercedes

The Power Unit gap

Charles Leclerc has offered a candid assessment of Ferrari’s current standing in the 2026 Formula 1 season, identifying the power unit as the primary area where the Scuderia is "lacking" compared to the benchmark set by Mercedes.

Where is the deficit?

“We are still very early on in the season, so yes, I do believe it’s possible,” Leclerc told media, including RacingNews365. “Is it a huge challenge? It absolutely is, and I think also because Mercedes is not relaxing and will keep pushing massively as well.”

According to Leclerc, the team has identified several key areas for improvement, but the power unit remains the most significant hurdle. “The points of focus at this moment of the season, at this moment of these regulations, are many. Obviously, there is the optimisation of the power unit, which is probably the biggest difference between Mercedes and us at the moment,” he explained.

“Just with the optimisation, you can make a big difference. Then, of course, there’s not only that, but there’s also raw power, which we are lacking compared to them.”

Chassis strength and future upgrades

Despite the power unit deficit, Leclerc remains encouraged by the performance of the car’s chassis. He believes the team has developed a clear understanding of the SF-26’s characteristics and where it needs to evolve.

“On the chassis, just all the fine tunings that you can think of, that you always pinpoint at the beginning of the season, where you try and understand what the main limitation is that is limiting you,” Leclerc noted. “We are starting to have quite a clear picture of what the characteristics of the car are that we need to improve to get better. But I think chassis-wise it is quite a strong car actually, and that’s probably our strength so far.”

Looking ahead, the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) calculations will play a pivotal role in the development race. Following the Miami Grand Prix, the FIA will assess power unit performance. Engines deemed to be 2% behind the pace-setter will be granted one upgrade, while those 4% behind will be permitted two. As Anthony Davidson recently warned, the system introduces a complex strategic layer to the season, with teams potentially managing their performance to maximize these development windows.

For Ferrari, the path forward is clear: optimize the current package and address the raw power deficit to mount a sustained challenge to Mercedes. As the team continues to refine its 2026 technical adjustments, the coming races will be critical in determining if they can bridge the gap.