Ferrari is preparing to introduce significant updates to its Formula 1® power unit and fuel at the Austrian Grand Prix, aiming to narrow the power deficit to Mercedes. These changes focus on enhancing combustion efficiency and overall engine performance, marking an important step in the team’s ongoing development efforts.
The Italian manufacturer is awaiting FIA approval to debut its upgraded 067/6 power unit, which features an advanced steel-alloy cylinder head. This innovation allows for higher combustion chamber temperatures compared to traditional aluminium heads. Alongside this, Ferrari will use a new Shell fuel specifically developed for this engine configuration to boost performance. The intake air temperature limit for the power unit will rise from around 100°C to over 115°C, which should improve combustion efficiency and power output.
This upgrade is part of a close collaboration between Ferrari’s engine department and Shell’s Hamburg laboratory, with the goal of reducing the horsepower gap to Mercedes. Ferrari’s SF-26 car has also shown improved performance and tyre management following recent aerodynamic upgrades, highlighted by Lewis Hamilton’s win at the Barcelona Grand Prix. Meanwhile, the team is investigating an electronic failure that affected Charles Leclerc’s car in Barcelona, related to hydraulic and electronic systems.
In the broader context of the Austrian Grand Prix, Red Bull is also expected to introduce a major upgrade package, adding further competition among the leading teams. Mercedes, meanwhile, remains the benchmark in power unit performance, but Ferrari’s technical developments indicate a focused effort to close the gap.
The exact performance gains from Ferrari’s new fuel and engine modifications have not been detailed, and it remains to be seen how these changes will influence race outcomes. However, the move to a steel-alloy cylinder head and the tailored fuel represent a notable technical advancement for the team.
Ferrari’s approach highlights the ongoing importance of power unit innovation in Formula 1®, where even small improvements in combustion efficiency can translate into valuable on-track performance. The Austrian Grand Prix will provide the first opportunity to assess how these updates perform under race conditions.
