The Gaping Pace Difference Between Ferrari & Mercedes F1 Challengers a Nod to 2022 Scuderia Dominance

Ferrari have made an amazing start to their 2022 season in their bid to get back to the top of the grid. The team has used their time very well to develop their 2022 cars prior to the start of the season.

Not only do they have an aerodynamically sound and competitive car this season, but they have also made strides on the engine side as well. In the 2020 season, the Italian team had the worst power unit on the grid. But since then, they’ve made huge strides to improve their power unit. So much so that currently they might have the strongest engine on the grid.

#F1: Ferrari currently has ~15hp more than Mercedes.
It was at ~ 20hp at the end of 2021. Great job taking some risks, it is normal to manage the reliability/power ratio.
The 2021 strategy was right, it will be copied. @formu1a__unohttps://t.co/hLDG2Hlzdc pic.twitter.com/wdupH9FXbt

— Giuliano Duchessa (@GiulyDuchessa) April 29, 2022

As reported by Formu1a.uno, Ferrari currently has 15hp more than Mercedes, which might make them the leading power unit supplier on the grid. It is reported that they held an advantage over the German team when they brought they brought a 2021 hybrid update in the second half of the season.

READ MORE: Which Teams Use Ferrari Engines in F1?

They have not brought any significant upgrades to their current power unit this season. But expect a big upgrade before the engine freeze in September 2022.

Valtteri Bottas distinguishes Ferrari and Mercedes power units

Valtteri Bottas has had the pleasure of racing in Formula One with both Ferrari and Mercedes power units in his car at some point in time. He raced with the Mercedes engine from 2013 to 2021 but switched to Ferrari after he joined Alfa Romeo this season. Bottas revealed some key differences between the workings of both power units.

Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen, portrait during the Formula 1 Winter Tests at Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya on February 25, 2022, in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“It feels like with the Ferrari power unit, more things are done manually from the driver versus at Mercedes [where] there were many more automatic modes, like attacking or defending. But on the Ferrari side, at least here [at Alfa Romeo], there has been more manual management, more responsibility to the driver,” said Valtteri.

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It is indeed impressive to see that the Italian team has made such good progress on their engine side after their recent struggles. It also looks likely that they will keep their edge over the German team throughout the season.

There is further good news for all the Ferrari fans as the engines will freeze in September this season. This would mean that no team could make changes to their power units until 2026.

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