Charles Leclerc had just finished fourth in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when a very specific question came his way during his interview with Sky. Had his Ferrari been running the ADUO-1 power unit during the Baku race, or the newer ADUO-2 specification? The Monegasque appeared to answer almost automatically: “I had the latest specification.” In other words, the ADUO-2.
The reaction beside him immediately suggested that Charles Leclerc may have disclosed more than Ferrari intended. The team’s press officer looked at him and began shaking her head. Charles Leclerc noticed, turned towards her and was met with a piercing stare. Putting a hand behind his neck as he realised what had happened, he added: “I don’t know if I’m saying something I wasn’t supposed to say.” It was a brief television moment, but one that answered one of the technical questions that had remained unresolved throughout the Baku weekend.
Charles Leclerc confirms he used Ferrari’s latest ADUO-2 specification
Sky’s question stemmed from Ferrari’s unusual power-unit management over the previous few weeks. The ADUO-2, the latest engine evolution developed under the FIA concessions, had made its debut on Charles Leclerc’s car at Monza. That same unit was then involved in the Monegasque driver’s violent accident at the Parabolica and was subsequently sent back to Maranello for a series of checks.
At the following Madrid Grand Prix, Ferrari chose not to use it on the number 16 car. Before Baku, however, Charles Leclerc confirmed that the engine was once again available in his pool, although he stopped short of revealing which specification would actually be fitted to the SF-26 during the weekend. Ferrari ultimately managed to keep the Monza ADUO-2 available without triggering a Baku grid penalty.
Charles Leclerc himself had explained why Ferrari was being so cautious with the information. The choice of power unit was regarded as strategically sensitive, meaning the Maranello team had no intention of telling its rivals whether the Ferrari would race with the ADUO-1 or the newer ADUO-2.
Ferrari’s ADUO-2 still not enough on the Baku straights
The revelation came while Charles Leclerc was discussing one of the main difficulties he had faced during the race. Despite having Ferrari’s latest power-unit specification available, the 28-year-old explained that he had struggled significantly on the long Baku straights, where defending against his rivals became particularly difficult.
It is an important technical detail because the Azerbaijan circuit places particular pressure on the overall efficiency of the car and on the power unit’s ability to maintain its deployment throughout the long full-throttle section leading towards the finish line. Ferrari had already worked on both deployment and set-up during the weekend, with the Baku FP3 analysis highlighting progress as well as the SF-26’s remaining limitations. The recorded straight-line differences can also be explored through the F1 Top Speed Comparison.
Charles Leclerc had started second after one of Ferrari’s strongest qualifying performances of the season, although he was still eight tenths behind Mercedes driver George Russell, who dominated the weekend. The result had nevertheless put Ferrari on the front row, with George Russell taking pole ahead of Charles Leclerc.
Ferrari was unable to convert that starting position into a podium. Charles Leclerc eventually finished fourth, behind the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. Lewis Hamilton crossed the line sixth, also finishing behind Kimi Antonelli, despite the other Mercedes driver having started the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 16th on the grid.
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