Lando Norris has expressed his view that Ferrari’s current Formula 1® chassis is outstanding, but the team’s engine performance is holding them back from fully capitalizing on their potential. According to Norris, if Ferrari had a stronger power unit, they could be dominating their rivals on the grid.
So far in the 2026 Formula 1® season, Mercedes has been the team to beat, winning the first six races with drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. However, Ferrari broke that streak when Lewis Hamilton secured victory at the Barcelona Grand Prix. Ferrari’s car has been widely regarded as having the strongest chassis on the grid following recent upgrades, yet data from ADUO indicates their engine performance trails behind Red Bull and Mercedes by more than 4%.
This gap in engine power is significant, especially given that Ferrari still holds two upgrade tokens available for engine improvements under the 2026 regulations. Lando Norris suggested that with a more competitive engine, Ferrari would not only challenge but potentially “embarrass” the competition. Meanwhile, McLaren, Norris’s own team, sits third in the standings but remains considerably behind both Mercedes and Ferrari.
Oscar Piastri, Norris’s teammate at McLaren, has acknowledged Ferrari’s recent progress, attributing it to new parts and the car’s strengths in areas like high downforce and tyre management. Despite McLaren’s efforts to close the gap, the performance difference to the top two teams remains substantial.
The current situation highlights the delicate balance between chassis and power unit performance in Formula 1®. Ferrari’s strong chassis provides a solid foundation, but the engine deficit limits their ability to consistently challenge Mercedes and Red Bull. With two upgrade tokens still in hand, Ferrari’s engine development will be closely watched as the season progresses.
Lando Norris’s comments underline the importance of a well-rounded package in Formula 1®. While Ferrari’s chassis upgrades have brought them closer to the front, the power unit remains a critical factor in race pace and overall competitiveness. How Ferrari manages to address this shortfall could shape their results in the coming races.
