Formula 1 World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli has suggested that Ferrari could benefit from a technical lever to reduce its engine deficit to the Mercedes Silver Arrows.
Read more Max Verstappen attacked? Jean Alesi takes a stand and reframes the debate
A statement, however, nuanced by other sources, who mention a more uncertain timetable for the application of the ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrades Opportunities) system, which grants development capabilities to engine manufacturers lagging behind the benchmark.
Interviewed by Sky Italia during the April break, the Mercedes driver suggested that major upgrades could come quickly, possibly as early as the Miami Grand Prix: “I know there will be big changes, even the ADUO has been granted to Ferrari, for example, which will allow them to develop the engine.”
Gap to close
According to Antonelli, the Scuderia would have been considered by the FIA as being more than 2% behind Mercedes’ engine performance, which would not be surprising, as all engine manufacturers are in this case, or even with a larger deficit for Honda, estimated at more than 4%.
The young Italian believes that this development could allow Ferrari to close part of its current gap: “They will clearly get closer, because their car is already performing well. So if they also manage to improve the engine, they will be even closer,” he stated.
Read more F1 2026: decisions expected for April 20
Despite this potential threat, Antonelli shows a certain serenity for the rest of the season: “I’m not too worried. In the end, once on track, I focus on what I’ve done during the last Grands Prix: trying to go as fast as possible, focusing on myself and on the goal set each weekend. “
Mercedes’ resources
Antonelli also points out that Mercedes F1 will not stay still: “I am sure that we will also bring quite significant upgrades. The car is already performing well and there is a good dynamic in the team, so I’m not too worried. But I know that the other teams will come back sooner or later.”
However, several sources nuance Antonelli’s interpretation: the FIA reportedly has not yet validated access to the ADUO system for Ferrari. Evaluations are only scheduled after the Miami Grand Prix on May 3. In this context, any engine development linked to this device would not be expected immediately, but rather later in the season, potentially at the Monaco Grand Prix in early June.
On the Maranello side, the observation is clear: the gap to Mercedes is significant, particularly in terms of power: “We are very far behind Mercedes,” admitted Lewis Hamilton. “I don’t know why. I don’t understand how they manage to extract so much power from the engine. Maybe we’ll eventually figure it out. “