Ferrari know that their hopes of contending for the 2027 F1 world championship largely hinge on improving their engine.

On average, the SF-26 has perhaps been the best car through the corners this season. But according to Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari’s straight-line speed deficit stands at around four-tenths.

With that kind of handicap, Ferrari can only compete for victory at select circuits, and they also struggle to make up ground during races. This year’s car simply wasn’t well-rounded enough to meaningfully challenge Mercedes.

Could Ferrari’s new engine wipe out the gap to Mercedes?

The FIA’s latest engine measurements confirm that Ferrari’s ICE is still at least four percent off the benchmark set by Red Bull Powertrains. Mercedes are second in the order, two percent down (though this is believed to be offset by their battery).

According to Franco Nugnes, a journalist for the Italian edition of Motorsport.com, Ferrari have already developed an engine that delivers up to 22 additional horsepower.

Ferrari have already upgraded their engine twice in 2026, first in Austria and then at Monza, as permitted under the ADUO catch-up rules.

“They have an engine in their back pocket that’s worth 21 or 22 horsepower,” Nugnes said. “For now, they’ve decided not to show it at all, to avoid triggering a reaction from the other teams ahead of next season.

“There’s even a chance they won’t use it in Las Vegas either, meaning they’ll keep it in reserve for next year, which, in itself, strikes me as a very significant starting point for a fresh beginning.

“And another important factor is the atmosphere within the team. There’s a collective drive to push in the same direction.”

Rough estimates suggest that Ferrari only gained five horsepower through their upgrades. That only made a small deficit in the gap to Mercedes, which stood at around 25 hp.

While it may seem optimistic to suggest that Ferrari can effectively wipe out the deficit with this new engine, Fred Vasseur has repeatedly told the Tifosi to expect a larger step before 2027.

There have been key changes in the powertrains department at Maranello, with Ferrari hiring an ex-Mercedes mastermind and bidding farewell to one of their top energy recovery specialists.