Leclerc says power‑unit optimisation is Ferrari’s biggest gap to Mercedes

summary: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc says better power‑unit optimisation is the biggest gap to Mercedes. He still sees a fight at Suzuka, but FP1 will show the true pace as the FIA cuts qualifying energy.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc says the biggest remaining difference to Mercedes is how well the power unit is optimised. He still believes a fight is possible at Suzuka, but acknowledges the challenge is steep and that Friday’s first practice will be the true litmus test.

Why it matters

Ferrari is the only team consistently close to the dominant Mercedes, so any improvement in power‑unit efficiency directly narrows the championship gap. Suzuka’s long back straight magnifies straight‑line power, while its twisty opening sectors reward chassis balance – a combination that could let a better‑optimised engine tip the scales.

The details

• Power‑unit optimisation: Leclerc said, “the optimisation of the power unit is probably the biggest difference between us and Mercedes.” Development will remain the season’s focus.
• Suzuka layout: The first two sectors are tight, suiting Ferrari’s handling, while the 1.5‑km back straight rewards straight‑line power where Mercedes still leads.
• FP1 expectations: Leclerc expects to “know where we stand compared to Mercedes” after practice, which will show if Ferrari is within striking distance.
• Qualifying energy cut: The FIA lowered the maximum recharge from 9.0 MJ to 8.0 MJ to keep qualifying a pure speed test. The change may curb Mercedes’ power edge and limit over‑boost for all teams.

What's next

• If FP1 puts Ferrari within a second of Mercedes, the team can craft a race plan that exploits its chassis in the twisty sections while managing the power gap on the straight.
• The new qualifying rule will be tested at Suzuka; teams with refined energy‑deployment tactics could gain a small but decisive edge for pole.