Leo Turrini: Leading engine specialists are leaving Ferrari

      In 2026 Formula 1 will switch to next‑generation hybrid power units. Most experts agree that, as in 2014, the teams that end up with the most efficient power unit will be the frontrunners.

      In this context worrying news for Ferrari fans is coming from Italy. Leo Turini, well acquainted with affairs in Maranello, reports that two leading engine engineers — Wolf Zimmermann and Lars Schmidt — are leaving the Scuderia, and that head of aerodynamics Diego Tondi is also close to departing the team.

      "The news that Zimmermann and Schmidt, engine engineers with long ties to Ferrari, are ending their collaboration with Maranello just a few months after building the new, extremely complex power unit can be interpreted two ways," Leo Turini wrote in his column on Wednesday. "First theory. The whispers I mention about doubts over the prospects of Ferrari's 2026 engine are true, so their leaving is the result of frustration. I hope the facts will prove that wrong.

      The second theory is that Mattia Binotto, who knows Zimmermann and Schmidt well from working with them, found persuasive arguments for these two to move to Audi.

      After that one must hope that Frédéric Vasseur knows what he's doing. The job of a team principal is to assess human resources, change what needs changing, and blah, blah, blah.

      It's now mid‑September, and Ferrari still hasn't carried out bench tests of a fully assembled power unit. And there are three months left until component homologation by the FIA.

      I should add that I know nothing about engineering. Turnover of technical staff at all levels is the norm in Formula 1. For example, there are now rumours that aerodynamic specialist Tondi has already packed his bags.

      One thing is certain — the lack of results lets rumours overflow. In that sense nothing changes: victories breed more victories, winners celebrate, and losers look for excuses, and everything can lead to complete chaos.

      People come, people go..."