Ferrari Bets on Revolutionary Steel Engine for 2026 Project 678
Ferrari is reportedly committing to a revolutionary steel cylinder head design for its 2026 power unit after overcoming initial reliability hurdles. This key part of Project 678 is a bold gamble to deliver a major performance advantage and return the team to the front under new F1 regulations.
Ferrari has reportedly made a final decision to use a 'revolutionary' steel cylinder head design in its 2026 power unit, codenamed Project 678. After initially developing an aluminum alternative due to reliability fears, a breakthrough with help from Austrian specialist AVL has convinced the Scuderia to focus entirely on the more aggressive steel solution. The move signals a high-risk, high-reward strategy as F1 enters a new era of regulations.
Why it matters:
Coming off a winless 2025 season, Ferrari is making a bold technological bet to reclaim its place at the pinnacle of F1. A powerful and efficient engine is non-negotiable for challenging for championships, and this radical design could provide the edge they've been missing. Success with this project could redefine the team's fortunes, while failure could set them back years in the new regulatory era.
The details:
- Steel Cylinder Heads: Ferrari is moving forward with steel cylinder heads, which can withstand higher pressures and temperatures than traditional aluminum, promising more efficient combustion.
- Regulatory Advantage: The 2026 regulations increase the minimum power unit weight from 120kg to 150kg, making the heavier steel a more viable option and reducing the penalty for its use.
- Reliability Solved: The team reportedly enlisted Austrian engine specialist AVL to solve the durability issues that initially plagued the steel design, allowing it to meet the season's mileage requirements.
- Packaging Gains: Project 678 will also feature a new, more compact high-tech battery and smaller radiators, which should provide significant advantages in car packaging and aerodynamics.
- Chassis Innovation: The car will utilize a double-pushrod suspension layout at both ends, a design not seen on a Ferrari since 2010, aimed at optimizing the new power unit's integration.
What's next:
The Project 678 car is set to be officially launched on January 23, just before pre-season testing begins. Ferrari will employ a two-phase testing approach, running a launch-spec 'A' car in Barcelona focused on mileage and reliability, before introducing a more performance-oriented 'B' spec during the Bahrain tests. This will be the first real-world test of whether Ferrari's high-stakes engineering gamble will pay off.