The Ferrari engine, which is still experiencing reliability issues, is renowned for being extreme. The cylinder head produced using additive manufacturing offers unprecedented alloys that should enable the design of the SF-26 with less bulky radiators, to the benefit of aerodynamics.
The engine department is confident in its ability to challenge Mercedes, which is unanimously regarded in the paddock as the most advanced manufacturer in the development of the 2026 engine.
With Zimmermann, Ferrari had also experimented with a steel cylinder head that was subsequently not approved, in order to return to an aluminum-based version: the engine will have a solution that aims to be very advanced in terms of materials, but which must contend with reliability.
The 2026 powertrain of the Prancing Horse has been on the test bench for some time, seeking the reliability needed to achieve a lifespan that would allow the season to be divided into four parts.
Enrico Galtieri wishes to fully capitalize on the fact that Ferrari is able to manufacture the chassis and the engine in the same location, with both teams working closely together. This should enable the launch of highly advanced solutions.
Davide Mazzoni, head of the ICE, and his team aim to certify an engine capable of withstanding greater stresses and dissipating heat more easily.
Ferrari plans to create very streamlined side pods thanks to a significant reduction in the number of radiators. This will allow the engineers, under the direction of Diego Tondi, to push the shapes to the extreme, thereby improving aerodynamic efficiency.
