Charles Leclerc will not use the ADUO2 Power Unit that debuted at Monza when Ferrari arrives in Madrid. The positive news for Maranello is that the unit involved in the Monegasque driver’s Italian Grand Prix accident has been saved, with Ferrari’s decision not to reinstall it in the SF-26 essentially a precautionary measure rather than a sign of a technical failure.
The situation surrounding Ferrari’s upgraded ADUO2 Power Unit had become a question of time more than technology. With only a few days separating Monza and Madrid, Ferrari did not have a large window in which to complete every necessary inspection at Maranello following an impact of that magnitude.
Ferrari needs more time to complete checks on Charles Leclerc’s ADUO2
The initial examinations did not reveal any major breakages or failures. However, Ferrari did not want to risk discovering an anomaly only after the car had returned to the circuit, potentially forcing Charles Leclerc to spend valuable practice time in the garage while further checks were carried out.
The team had already been conducting detailed assessments of the components after Charles Leclerc’s Monza crash and the subsequent ADUO2 checks. On a familiar circuit, accepting a degree of uncertainty might have been more manageable. Madrid, however, presents a very different challenge.
Formula 1 is arriving at a completely new circuit, meaning teams have few genuine references and will inevitably begin the weekend with limited correlation between simulator work, theoretical data and the way the cars actually behave on the asphalt.
Why Friday practice in Madrid is especially important for Ferrari
The opening practice sessions will therefore carry greater importance than usual. Every lap will help Ferrari understand the new track, validate ride heights and setup choices, refine the balance of the SF-26 and assess tyre behaviour under real conditions.
Ferrari does have some previous experience of the venue after running the SF-26 there before the race weekend, giving Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton an unusual early reference for Madrid. Even so, losing part of a practice session because of Power Unit inspections would represent an unnecessary price to pay at a circuit where track time will be particularly valuable.
Ferrari has consequently opted for the simplest solution. Charles Leclerc will use an ADUO1 specification that is already part of his available Power Unit pool. That means Ferrari will not need to introduce a new unit for the Madrid weekend, while Charles Leclerc will also avoid a grid penalty.
Ferrari has not abandoned the ADUO2 used at Monza
The Monza ADUO2 has therefore not been rejected. On the contrary, the checks carried out so far indicate that the Power Unit can be recovered. Ferrari will simply have additional time at Maranello to complete its examinations and determine when the unit can safely be returned to Charles Leclerc’s rotation with greater certainty over its condition.
There is still a separate consideration for the closing stages of the season. Ferrari knows that Charles Leclerc may eventually require another updated unit in order to have a second ADUO2 available to alternate with the first.
Should Ferrari decide to introduce that additional Power Unit, the resulting grid penalty would become a strategic decision, with the team needing to choose the least costly moment of the remaining season to take it. Madrid will not be that race.
On a new circuit where Ferrari begins with limited real-world information and a substantial amount of work to complete from Friday onwards, the priority is straightforward: maximise track time and avoid losing laps.
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