Ferrari sets F1 2026 start benchmark as Mercedes makes progress

Ferrari has established itself as the clear benchmark for race starts with its 2026 power unit, despite Mercedes making significant progress during the final pre-season test in Bahrain. Rookie Kimi Antonelli confirmed the Scuderia's blistering launch advantage, while also noting his own team's improvements on a procedure that has proven complex for all teams under the new engine regulations.

Why it matters:

Race starts have emerged as a critical and contentious performance differentiator in the 2026 season due to the new power unit formula. The removal of the MGU-H, which previously masked turbo lag, has made launching the car more complicated and time-consuming. A strong start can define a race outcome, making this a key battleground for competitive advantage from the very first corner in Melbourne.

The details:

• Ferrari's Dominance: Observers and data from Bahrain testing consistently pointed to Ferrari's SF-26 as the quickest car off the line. George Russell had previously suggested Ferrari might be running a smaller turbo, and in practice starts, Ferrari drivers managed to overtake him before Turn 1 on multiple occasions.
• Mercedes' Step Forward: Kimi Antonelli acknowledged starts had been a "weak point" for Mercedes but reported tangible progress after setup changes during the test. He stated the start "felt a lot stronger" by the final day, though a true grid test wasn't possible.
• Procedure Complexity: Antonelli emphasized the challenge is largely procedural, requiring teams to "really get it right." The FIA introduced a pre-warning system in testing to help avoid first-corner chaos, underscoring the universal difficulty.
• Haas Shows Promise: The Ferrari-powered Haas team also demonstrated improved launch capability. Esteban Ocon noted early-season troubles finding the correct pre-start revs have been largely solved, crediting improvements to the power unit's boost delivery.

What's next:

The real test will come under the pressure of a race start at the Australian Grand Prix. While Mercedes and Haas have closed the gap, Ferrari's initial advantage is significant. Ocon pragmatically noted that if Haas has improved, other manufacturers likely have too, setting the stage for an ongoing development battle. Teams will be analyzing every data point from Bahrain to refine their start procedures before the lights go out in Melbourne.