Ferrari drivers demand technical upgrades to challenge Mercedes

Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have issued calls for technical improvements as the team struggles to close the gap to Mercedes in the Formula 1 championship.

Following a third-place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, Lewis Hamilton emphasized that while the car shows quality, the team must address a deficit in engine power by 2027. Hamilton noted that the team's development decisions have been positive, but power remains a limiting factor for the remainder of the current season.

Charles Leclerc has also urged the Maranello-based team to accelerate car development and implement upgrades more rapidly. Ferrari currently sits second in the constructors' standings with 378 points, trailing Mercedes by 160 points. Drivers have reported that the SF-26 struggles with top speed on straights, forcing engineers to compromise downforce levels, which subsequently impacts cornering performance and tire preservation.