Esteban Ocon believes Ferrari’s new ADUO-2 power unit represents a significant step forward, but the Haas driver will not have access to the upgraded specification at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix. Haas has only one example available at Monza this weekend, and it will be fitted to Oliver Bearman’s car, leaving Ocon with the previous engine specification despite receiving the team’s new aerodynamic package.
The situation creates an intriguing split between the two Haas cars at a circuit where straight-line performance carries particular importance. The American team has arrived in Italy with a substantial package of updates as it attempts to reverse a trend that has gradually pushed it away from the points-scoring positions in recent races.
Esteban Ocon gets Haas aero upgrade but not Ferrari ADUO-2
Both Haas cars will benefit from the new aerodynamic components, but only Bearman will run Ferrari’s latest power unit specification. Ocon praised the team’s work in producing the new parts while confirming that the limited availability of ADUO-2 means he will have to wait.
“The team has done a great job producing all these parts for both cars,” Esteban Ocon explained. “My car will be updated aerodynamically. I won’t have the new engine because we only had one and it will go on Oli’s car with the ADUO 2. I’m still very curious to see what this car can do.”
The new Ferrari unit has attracted particular attention ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, with the ADUO-2 turbo development focusing on efficiency as well as outright performance.
Haas hopes Monza upgrade can reverse recent decline
The aerodynamic package is an important development for Haas after a competitive beginning to the season was followed by a gradual loss of ground against its direct rivals. Ocon acknowledged that competing teams appeared to develop their cars more quickly, making it increasingly difficult for Haas to remain consistently involved in the fight for points.
“We started the season well in terms of pace, we were regularly in the points positions and we were fast. But quite quickly I think the others overtook us in development and, race after race, we were always missing something in terms of performance.”
The revised aerodynamic package is intended to help Haas recover some of that lost ground. However, Monza’s unusual characteristics make the Italian circuit less than ideal for obtaining a complete picture of what the update can deliver.
With extremely low downforce levels and long straights defining the lap, the Italian Grand Prix represents a specialised configuration rather than a conventional test of a car’s overall competitiveness.
“Now we have an updated car with new aerodynamic parts,” Ocon continued. “Hopefully that will translate into much better performance. It’s not the best track to test them, but it was still very positive to manage to have them here and I hope we can get back to challenging the others as early as this weekend.”
Ocon says Ferrari’s new power unit is a good step forward
The missing ADUO-2 could nevertheless prove particularly important for Ocon at Monza. The French driver is convinced that Ferrari’s latest power unit evolution brings a meaningful improvement.
When Ted Kravitz asked how significant the development was, Ocon responded without hesitation.
“We know how much it’s worth. It’s a good step forward.”
Ferrari’s latest engine work is part of a broader effort to improve the efficiency and performance of its 2026 package, with the technical priorities behind the specification examined in our Ferrari SF-26 power unit analysis.
Why missing ADUO-2 could hurt Ocon at Monza
Ocon will receive the latest specification later in the season, but he expects to pay a price for not having it during the Italian Grand Prix weekend.
“I’m going to lose quite a lot of time during the race. This weekend there was only one for us. We have the updated car, which is positive, but I don’t have the updated engine and I will get it later in the year.”
The difference could be particularly noticeable at Monza because of the circuit’s long straights and the importance of power-unit efficiency. While the aerodynamic updates should provide Ocon with an improved version of the Haas, his car will not benefit from the latest Ferrari engine specification available to Bearman.
“On a circuit like this, where the straights are quite long, you lose a lot of time in the race. We’ll see what we can achieve, but I’m really curious to drive this new car.”
Monza therefore offers Haas two important areas to assess at the same time. The team can begin evaluating its revised aerodynamic package on both cars, while Bearman will also provide the first reference for what the latest Ferrari power unit can contribute in Haas machinery. For more coverage of the engineering developments surrounding Maranello’s 2026 package, visit our Ferrari technical analysis section.
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