Ferrari plans secret Monza test to gain edge over Mercedes

Ferrari is reportedly planning a secret 200-kilometer filming day test at Monza in April, aiming to evaluate a modified power unit configuration specifically optimized for high-speed circuits. This move is seen as a direct attempt to close the performance gap to Mercedes, which currently holds an engine advantage. The test would utilize F1's filming day allowance during a rare break in the calendar following the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.

Why it matters:

With Mercedes currently setting the benchmark for power unit performance, Ferrari's pursuit of any marginal gain is critical for its 2026 championship aspirations. A successful test at a power-sensitive circuit like Monza could provide valuable data to refine energy deployment and battery management—key differentiators under the current and future regulations. This proactive engineering effort highlights the intense development war continuing behind the scenes, even during a scheduled break.

The details:

• The test is planned for the Monza circuit, chosen for its long straights and high-speed nature, which severely limit battery recharge opportunities and place maximum stress on the power unit.
• Ferrari intends to run a different power unit specification than those used in the recent Australian and Chinese Grands Prix, focusing on high-speed efficiency and deployment.
• The team is leveraging a forced break in the F1 calendar in April to conduct this development work, turning a pause in racing into a strategic advantage.
• Despite the perceived engine deficit to Mercedes, Ferrari drivers have already secured podiums this season, with Charles Leclerc finishing third in Melbourne and Lewis Hamilton taking second in Shanghai.
• In a related note on the 2026 regulations, Charles Leclerc offered a counterpoint to critics like Max Verstappen, describing the racing with the new rules as "actually quite fun" after his close battle with Hamilton in China, suggesting a more nuanced view of the upcoming changes.

What's next:

The data gathered from this Monza test will be instrumental in shaping Ferrari's development path for the European leg of the season and beyond. If the modified power unit shows promise, it could be integrated into the team's strategic planning for other high-speed tracks like Spa-Francorchamps and Baku. This test is a clear signal that Ferrari is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to match Mercedes' straight-line performance and mount a consistent title challenge.