Ferrari's aggressive F1 upgrade program sparks budget concerns from rivals

Ferrari has introduced a series of large‑scale upgrades to its 2026 Formula 1 car, prompting questions from rival teams about how the Italian marque can afford such development within the sport’s budget‑cap limits. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said he is "a little surprised" by Ferrari’s ability to deploy many parts, adding that the team is likely to exhaust its budget soon, unlike Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton noted that the gap to Mercedes is not only about power but also about usable energy over a lap, while Ferrari technical director Frederic Vasseur cautioned that resolving engine issues will take time despite the new ADUO package. McLaren, Red Bull and other competitors observed that Ferrari appears to be the only team maintaining a high‑tempo development pace, raising concerns about the competitive balance for the remainder of the season.