Ferrari’s latest power unit has encountered difficulties replicating the high-revving first gear downshift maneuver that Max Verstappen demonstrated early in pre-season testing at Bahrain. As teams gear up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, power unit performance remains a critical point of attention, with manufacturers such as Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, Audi, and Honda all under close examination for their differing technical approaches.
Ferrari appears to have chosen a smaller turbocharger compared to their competitors, a decision believed to be influenced by concerns around race starts associated with the new hybrid power unit regulations. Meanwhile, Mercedes faces potential restrictions on its unique compression technique, and Honda’s power unit continues to lag behind the leading manufacturers in development.
The Impact of Power Unit Strategies on Performance in Bahrain Testing
One notable feature of the new hybrid systems involves how the battery recharges during a lap. Max Verstappen quickly revealed that shifting down to first gear in slower corners might accelerate the battery recharge process, offering a potential advantage.
However, journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm observed that teams using Ferrari power units have struggled to replicate this technique under testing conditions. This inability to match Verstappen’s approach has raised questions about Ferrari’s power unit design and its compatibility with such maneuvers.
Ferrari’s First Gear Downshift Efforts and Technical Constraints
Speaking on The Race F1 Podcast, Scott Mitchell-Malm explained that Ferrari’s power unit behaves differently than those of rival manufacturers when attempting the first gear downshift. He noted,
“One of the reasons why I’d really like it if it turns out this week that Ferrari’s right up there is it’ll be quite cool to see something with a definite anomaly in the design doing well.”
He detailed that Ferrari’s choice of a smaller turbo seems to have led to the car avoiding the first gear downshift tactic common among other teams. This design decision likely aims to optimize race starts by improving turbo spool-up times, but it creates a reluctance in the car to perform the critical second-to-first gear transition as effectively, impacting energy regeneration.
Mitchell-Malm also shared observations from trackside, saying,
“You can hear it because Leclerc tried it once when I was trackside. Ollie Bearman tried it once in the Haas when I was trackside, and it reacted really badly, and they didn’t really try it again.”
This suggests that while Ferrari’s power unit differs from its competitors, it might require alternative tactics to achieve similar outcomes in performance, hinting at distinct technical paths within the F1 regulations. Mitchell-Malm added,
“That would just be quite fascinating because there’s just not really much technical divergence in F1 on that kind of level anymore.”
Renewed Attempts to Utilize First Gear Downshifts During Bahrain Testing
Telemetry data from the second week of testing revealed that Charles Leclerc has been retrying the first gear downshift maneuver in several corners, including turns one, four, and ten, during his quick laps. This indicates ongoing efforts by Ferrari to adapt and refine their power unit and energy recovery strategies to optimize car performance.
With key figures like Alex Albon suggesting that drivers such as Lewis Hamilton might excel under the new regulations, Ferrari’s ability to support championship contenders like Hamilton and Leclerc depends heavily on the car’s technical evolution as the season approaches.
Ferrari has already introduced new components during testing that they believe provide an edge over their rivals. Incorporating successful techniques observed from other teams, like Verstappen’s first gear downshift trick, could be crucial for Ferrari’s competitiveness throughout the year.
Implications for Ferrari and the 2026 Formula 1 Season
The challenges Ferrari faces in mimicking Verstappen’s effective downshifting technique reflect broader technical complexities inherent in adapting to next-generation hybrid power units. How Ferrari modifies its powertrain to balance start-line performance with efficient energy regeneration may play a significant role in determining their competitiveness.
As teams continue testing in Bahrain and develop innovative solutions, those able to exploit subtle tactical advantages like Verstappen’s battery recharge method could gain an early-season edge. Ferrari’s progress in overcoming these hurdles will be closely watched, especially as the battle for the 2026 championship intensifies among top drivers and constructors.
