News Summary

Ferrari has begun reorganising its Formula 1 engine department as Frédéric Vasseur attempts to introduce new resources and ideas into the technical operation at Maranello.

According to Motorsport.com Italy, the restructuring is being carried out within the group led by power-unit technical director Enrico Gualtieri. Ferrari has not abandoned development of the SF-26, but an increasing proportion of its technical resources is already being directed towards the 2027 car and engine.

The changes include internal promotions, the reassignment of existing personnel and recruitment from outside Ferrari. The most significant arrival is expected to come from Red Bull Powertrains, although the engineer’s identity has not yet been established.

The unnamed specialist is reportedly serving a one-year period of gardening leave before starting work at Maranello. The length of that enforced absence indicates that Ferrari has recruited someone occupying a senior position within Red Bull’s engine programme.

The report suggests the engineer may be among the specialists recruited by Red Bull Powertrains from Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth when the Milton Keynes operation was being established.

If confirmed, the appointment would give Ferrari access to experience acquired within two organisations that developed their power units through notably different structures and technical philosophies.

Ferrari turns to GT programme for immediate reinforcement

Ferrari is not waiting for the Red Bull Powertrains recruit before beginning its reorganisation.

Francesco Morettini is moving from the manufacturer’s GT division to the Formula 1 power-unit department, where he will be responsible for reorganising its technical office. Morettini specialises in electromechanical systems and the development of strategic components.

He will work alongside Francesco Marino, who oversees quality operations, and Luca Poggio, the director responsible for hybrid systems and product electronics.

The transfer continues Ferrari’s willingness to move engineering knowledge between its Formula 1 and endurance programmes. The manufacturer’s GT and Hypercar operations have developed into highly successful structures, making them an increasingly relevant source of technical and organisational experience for the F1 team.

Morettini’s arrival will not remove the senior figures already established within the department. Davide Mazzoni, Guido De Paola and Luigi Fraboni are expected to retain important positions as Gualtieri seeks to combine Ferrari’s existing knowledge with different approaches.

The restructuring therefore represents an expansion and redistribution of responsibilities rather than a complete replacement of the current engine leadership.

Ferrari targets Mercedes power deficit

Ferrari’s immediate technical objective is to reduce the performance deficit between its power unit and the Mercedes M17 E Performance.

Gualtieri previously acknowledged that Ferrari’s Austrian GP engine development was only a limited step and would not transform the competitive order by itself. The team has continued to use the FIA’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities system, but Ferrari has admitted that its engine still lacks outright power.

The 2027 project is expected to retain Ferrari’s existing “hot engine” philosophy rather than abandon the concept completely. However, the combustion system is set to undergo a substantial revision involving the cylinder head and steel components within the six-cylinder engine.

Ferrari is also working with fuel partner Shell because the current fuel package is reportedly not considered the strongest in the paddock.

The arrival of an engineer with experience at Red Bull Powertrains and, potentially, Mercedes’ Brixworth operation would therefore be especially valuable. Ferrari would not simply be recruiting another engine specialist, but someone familiar with the working methods behind two rival power-unit projects.

The appointment has not yet been officially announced, while neither Ferrari nor Red Bull Powertrains has confirmed the engineer’s identity or expected starting date.

Vasseur’s restructuring extends beyond engine department

Ferrari’s recruitment programme is not limited to the power-unit operation.

Further additions are expected within the chassis and aerodynamics departments overseen by technical director Loïc Serra. The French engineer is responsible for the chassis side of Ferrari’s technical structure, while Gualtieri continues to lead power-unit development.

The wider changes arrive amid renewed pressure on Vasseur following Ferrari’s inconsistent 2026 campaign. The team has won with Lewis Hamilton in Barcelona but has struggled to sustain a challenge against Mercedes, while operational and technical problems have repeatedly interrupted its progress.

Those shortcomings have contributed to increased scrutiny of Vasseur’s position and Ferrari’s internal structure. Hamilton has publicly called for changes in the way the team operates, although he has denied requesting the dismissal or replacement of individual employees.

Vasseur’s response is now becoming clearer. Instead of one dramatic appointment, Ferrari is reshaping several areas simultaneously: moving proven staff from other racing programmes, promoting personnel internally and recruiting specialists with experience of rival Formula 1 organisations.

The unknown Red Bull Powertrains engineer may eventually become the most prominent name in that process. For now, Morettini’s transfer and the redistribution of responsibilities inside Gualtieri’s department provide the first concrete indications of how Ferrari intends to change.

Further details are expected once the external recruits complete their contractual gardening-leave periods and are cleared to begin work at Maranello.

GRANDE PRÊMIO provides complete coverage of Formula 1.

F1 today: FAQ

What time is Singapore GP sprint qualifying today?

Sprint qualifying starts at 20:30 Singapore time on Friday, October 9, equivalent to 13:30 BST in the UK, 08:30 ET in the United States and Canada, and 18:00 IST in India. The session determines the starting grid for Saturday’s sprint.

Who was fastest in Singapore GP FP1?

George Russell topped FP1 with a 1:32.274, driving Mercedes’ older W17 aerodynamic specification. Charles Leclerc finished second, 0.198s behind, followed by Lando Norris in third. Kimi Antonelli was seventh with the upgraded Mercedes, while Gabriel Bortoleto finished 16th.

Why is George Russell using the old Mercedes at the Singapore GP?

Mercedes is comparing its previous W17 specification with the aerodynamic upgrade introduced at Sepang. Russell is using the older package, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli retains the new version. Russell led FP1, but differences in tyre compounds and run programmes mean the result alone does not establish which specification is faster.

Who leads Ferrari’s Formula 1 engine department?

Enrico Gualtieri is Ferrari’s power-unit technical director and leads the development of the team’s Formula 1 engine.