Ferrari experienced a significant technical departure in July 2024 when Enrico Cardile, then Technical Director Chassis Area, left the team. Cardile had been with Ferrari since 2005, progressing to head of aerodynamic development in 2016 and later becoming Technical Director Chassis and Aerodynamics in 2023.
Following Cardile’s exit, Team Principal Fred Vasseur temporarily assumed oversight of the chassis department. Cardile’s move was widely speculated to be to Aston Martin, a transfer that materialised in summer 2025.
At Aston Martin, Cardile took on the role of Chief Technical Officer. His primary focus is the development of the team’s 2026 car, aligning with the new technical regulations. He works alongside Adrian Newey, who also joined Aston Martin, overseeing areas such as aero development and vehicle dynamics.
Ferrari, meanwhile, initiated a restructuring of its technical department. Loic Serra, formerly Mercedes’ performance director, joined Ferrari in October 2024 as Head of Chassis Performance Engineering. By September 2024, Serra was appointed Technical Director Chassis, reporting directly to Vasseur.
Serra’s mandate includes overseeing Chassis Project Engineering, Vehicle Performance, Aerodynamics, Track Engineering, and Chassis Operations. His approach aims to integrate the car as a complete system, fostering synergy across aerodynamics, suspension, and tyre departments. The current SF-26 is the first Ferrari car developed under Serra’s technical structure.
Beyond chassis developments, Ferrari’s 2026 power unit project has faced internal challenges. Departures of key figures like Wolf Zimmerman and Lars Schmidt during the winter of 2025/2026 contributed to what has been termed an ’emergency project’.
Despite an early season podium for Charles Leclerc in Australia and a victory for Lewis Hamilton in Barcelona, Ferrari has struggled with straight-line speed deficits against rivals, particularly Mercedes, throughout the current 2026 season.
Team Principal Fred Vasseur has indicated that power unit development is a protracted process, citing long lead times for parts and cost cap restrictions. The FIA’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system granted Ferrari two extra power unit homologations for 2026 and two for 2027.
Vasseur clarified that these ADUO steps are expected to yield only ‘small steps’ in performance, not a complete eradication of the deficit. Ferrari is now restructuring its power unit department under Enrico Gualtieri, with Francesco Morettini moving from the GT program.
A senior engineer from Red Bull Powertrains is also anticipated to join Ferrari for the 2027 season after a period of gardening leave. The 2027 power unit project is expected to retain Ferrari’s ‘hot engine’ philosophy but will feature substantial revisions to the combustion system.
