Formula 1 started the 2026 season surrounded by technical discussions involving power units, and the relationship between supplier and customer teams has returned to the center of the debate. Following speculation involving Mercedes at the championship opener in Australia, drivers from teams using Ferrari engines presented different views on access to information provided by the Italian manufacturer.
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The topic gained momentum in the paddock because McLaren, Williams, and Alpine, Mercedes customers, reportedly questioned the level of data shared by the German supplier. Amid this discussion, drivers from teams using the Ferrari power unit commented on how access to technical information works within their own structures.
Oliver Bearman, who races for Haas, stated that the American team receives significant support from Ferrari regarding energy management and engine usage. The Briton highlighted that the collaboration between the two teams has been extensive and positive.
According to Bearman, the Italian manufacturer has been quite open in sharing important information for the car’s performance. “Ferrari has been incredibly open and very helpful regarding the energy usage strategy, sharing as much information as possible to help,” the driver stated.
The Haas competitor also emphasized that there are relevant structural differences between the two teams’ cars. Therefore, in his view, the situation cannot be directly compared to the relationship between Mercedes and McLaren, which have technically closer projects.
“There is a bigger difference between the Ferrari and Haas cars,” the British driver explained. This factor, according to him, influences how data is used and interpreted by the teams.
On the other side of the paddock, Sergio Pérez presented a different assessment regarding access to technical information provided by Ferrari. The Mexican, who competes for Cadillac, said that the level of data available to his team is more limited.
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According to Pérez, Cadillac is still in a learning process in Formula 1, working to better understand the functioning of the power unit provided by Ferrari. The American team uses Italian engines while developing its own power unit project.
“Obviously we are learning, drivers and engineers working together,” the driver stated. He explained that, as a customer team, Cadillac does not have the same access to information available to Ferrari.
“Our options are quite limited compared to Ferrari or what we can get from them,” the Mexican added. This technical limitation is part of the team’s adaptation process to the championship.
Pérez also highlighted that the car’s current performance further complicates the analysis of energy management. According to him, Cadillac faces difficulties in extracting the maximum from the mechanical package.
“It’s very difficult for us because we are about three seconds behind,” the driver said. “This makes it really complicated to extract the maximum from the energy usage and the strategy they use.”
Even so, the Mexican believes that the team needs to continue evolving in this technical aspect. For him, the joint work between engineers and drivers will be fundamental to reducing the gap to competitors throughout the season.
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