Ferrari trail Mercedes 90 to 135 after three rounds despite podiums at every race, and both Martin Brundle and Charles Leclerc point to the Maranello power unit as the main gap. They cite power delivery and energy management as the areas holding Ferrari back from turning steady podiums into wins.
The early-season picture is clear. Mercedes have swept all three grands prix and won the China Sprint. Ferrari have kept pressure on the silver cars with consistent top-three finishes but have lacked the punch to control Sundays. That is why the power unit sits at the center of Ferrari’s plan. If the team fixes how the engine deploys energy and delivers power across the lap, the points gap can close.
Leclerc has not limited the diagnosis to the engine. He says Ferrari can also move in other areas under the new rules. Tire operating window, aerodynamics, and chassis balance all offer room to evolve. That gives Ferrari several paths to lap time if they can sequence upgrades and connect them on track. A coordinated program matters because the competitive order still looks fluid this far into a fresh rules cycle.
The championship remains open. Development after the April break can swing momentum as new parts arrive and software maps mature. McLaren’s rise puts extra pressure on Ferrari to take steps forward while defending second in the standings. Mercedes have set a high bar and will keep adding performance, so standing still is not an option. Emerging talent like Andrea Kimi Antonelli also adds uncertainty to the grid’s competitive rhythm as teams tune their cars to driver strengths.
Ferrari’s next move is to prioritize the power unit. Energy management must improve so deployment aligns with the car’s cornering profile and straight-line demands. Power delivery must become smoother and more effective so drivers can maximize traction and consistency across stints. These changes can help race pace, tire life, and overtaking power without waiting for major hardware.
In parallel, Ferrari need steady gains in aero efficiency and stability through a wider tire window. That means parts that boost load without extra drag and set-up work that holds performance across cooler and hotter tracks. Chassis updates that improve feedback and predictability will help drivers extract more in traffic and over long runs. The aim is a package that converts qualifying potential into control on Sunday.
The gap is defined, and the path is clear. Fix the Maranello-built power unit’s delivery and energy use, then layer on aero, chassis, and tire-window gains. Do that, and Ferrari can attack Mercedes while keeping McLaren behind as the 2026 title fight develops.