Montoya: New start rules will erode Ferrari’s Miami edge

Former Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya warns that the FIA’s low‑power start detection system, slated for the Miami Grand Prix, will strip Ferrari of its early‑lap launch advantage and give Mercedes‑powered cars a much‑needed boost.

Why it matters:

Ferrari has built a reputation this season for blistering race starts, thanks to a smaller turbo that releases extra energy off the line. If that edge disappears, the team could lose positions before the first corner, allowing rivals to close the gap in a championship that is already separated by just 45 points.

The details:

• The system monitors MGU‑K output in the first seconds. If a car’s power drops below a threshold, the MGU‑K releases a small amount of harvested energy to aid the launch.
• Ferrari’s edge comes from a turbo‑charger map that maximises boost on the start lap, giving its drivers about a 0.2s lead over rivals.
• Mercedes‑powered cars, including George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, have collectively lost 22 grid spots this season due to sluggish starts, a weakness the rule aims to mitigate.
• Heading into Miami, Mercedes leads the Constructors’ Championship by 45 points, with Ferrari second after four front‑row lock‑outs. A shift in launch performance could widen the gap.

What's next:

If the low‑power start detection works as intended, Ferrari’s drivers will likely be caught further back at Miami, while Mercedes‑backed cars climb the opening laps. The FIA will review the system after the race and may fine‑tune the energy‑release thresholds for the rest of the 2026 season.