Ferrari's Strategic Move to Protect Competitive Edge in 2026 F1 Season
Ferrari is preparing to block attempts by rival Formula One teams to alter the new starting procedure introduced for the 2026 season, after the Italian team discovered a clever technical solution that could provide them with a significant competitive advantage. This development comes as Mercedes driver George Russell has raised suspicions about Ferrari's approach, highlighting concerns that were initially flagged months before the season began.
The Starting Procedure Controversy
The controversy centers around new starting protocols that were tested during initial sessions in Bahrain, where Alpine's Franco Colapinto nearly lost control while attempting burnouts during practice starts. This incident revealed that drivers were struggling to maintain proper grid positions under the new system, prompting safety concerns among several teams.
McLaren is reportedly among the teams pushing for modifications to the starting procedures at next week's crucial meeting, where they plan to emphasize safety considerations in their bid to secure changes. However, they face formidable opposition from Ferrari, whose technical design gives them a distinct advantage under the current rules.
Ferrari's Technical Advantage
Ferrari's more compact turbo design means their cars require less revving at the start compared to competitors, potentially giving them a crucial edge as lights go out. This advantage could prove particularly beneficial for Lewis Hamilton in his first season with the Italian team, providing him with better launch capabilities that might translate into superior race starts throughout the campaign.
Sources indicate that Ferrari identified this potential issue well before their competitors and developed their technical solution accordingly. Speaking on the Race F1 podcast, journalist Jon Noble revealed that Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur and Mercedes driver George Russell were among the first to raise concerns about the starting procedure, with Ferrari subsequently engineering a workaround.
Early Warnings and Strategic Planning
"Twelve months ago, [Vasseur] was in a Commission meeting and said, 'We're going to have a problem in '26, we should do something'," Noble explained. "So he committed to a design that covers this problem, likely a smaller turbo."
Fellow journalist Ed Straw added context to the situation, noting: "George Russell suggested as much. He's not the Ferrari designer or Ferrari driver, but there's widespread belief that that's the case. They've committed to the smaller turbo, their start issue is sorted. Suddenly when it comes back and the others say, 'We have got a problem with the starts', he brought this up six months previously, why should he vote in favor?"
Russell's Concerns and Safety Considerations
Addressing the restricted turbo window and starting procedure, Russell explained to reporters: "Well, at the moment, we're just sort of going through our procedure, and I'm only doing my launch when I'm in a given window. But we are very conscious that for a race start, you go when the lights are out, you don't go when your specific turbo is in the right window."
The Mercedes driver continued: "So as I said, I think we have made progress. I don't know what it's like for the other manufacturers. I think Ferrari seem to be able to run higher gears than other manufacturers, which probably suggests they've got a smaller turbo than other manufacturers. So maybe they're in a slightly easier position for their race starts."
Russell concluded with safety considerations: "But, as long as there's not a safety concern... There probably was in Barcelona, but as I said, we have made big progress since Barcelona in that specific regard."
This developing situation highlights the intricate balance between technical innovation, competitive advantage, and safety considerations in Formula One, with Ferrari positioned to defend their clever solution against teams seeking rule changes that would level the playing field.
