Ferrari introduced its upgraded ADUO-2 Power Unit from FP1 at Monza rather than waiting until Saturday, a deliberate technical decision designed to give the team as much time as possible to validate and optimise the new specification. The development was reported to deliver a gain of around 5-6 horsepower while improving the SF-26’s ability to sustain power along the straights at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix.
Monza remains a unique event for Formula 1 and Ferrari supporters, and especially for the Scuderia itself. Racing at home means performing in front of the tifosi and trying to secure a strong result, both to lift morale and maintain momentum in the championship. This weekend also celebrates the legacy of Michael Schumacher, 30 years after his 1996 victory at Monza.
Ferrari knew Monza could expose the SF-26
Despite the emotion surrounding the Italian Grand Prix, there was also an awareness at Maranello that Monza was unlikely to be an easy circuit for the SF-26. The characteristics of Ferrari’s 2026 car were not considered particularly well suited to those of the track.
Even so, there was hope within the racing department that another theoretically difficult weekend could produce a surprise, as had already happened at Silverstone and Spa. Ferrari had been expected to struggle at both venues but instead achieved excellent results, providing encouragement ahead of another circuit that appeared unfavourable on paper.
Ferrari ADUO-2 engine targeted straight-line performance at Monza
This season, FIA decisions concerning battery recharging during the lap meant engine efficiency and outright power were expected to play a particularly important role on Monza’s long straights. Ferrari therefore worked intensively to have the ADUO-2 specification ready for its home Grand Prix, following months of development by its Power Unit department.
The required targets were reached before the new unit was approved, with the objective of recovering part of the performance deficit separating Ferrari from its rivals. The ADUO-2 token brought a broader refinement of the Power Unit and was expected to allow the engine to sustain its power more effectively on the straights while providing greater performance at higher speeds.
According to FIA documentation, the upgrade resulted in the homologation of Ferrari’s fourth Power Unit specification of 2026. However, expectations surrounding the development remained measured. The level of enthusiasm portrayed around the upgrade had not been fully reflected within Ferrari’s engine department, where the approach was considerably more cautious.
Ferrari engine gain reported at around 5-6 horsepower
Inside the factory, there was cautious optimism alongside an awareness that Ferrari had extracted as much as reasonably possible within the existing constraints. The development was also completed without additional support from fuel partner Shell. The 067/6 did not receive a new fuel formulation capable of providing an extra gain in horsepower and efficiency.
The second engine evolution was also not believed to provide the 10-horsepower increase that had previously been suggested elsewhere. Instead, sources close to Ferrari indicated that the actual improvement was around 5-6 horsepower.
It was not a huge increase, but it nevertheless represented another step towards allowing the SF-26 to close the gap to its rivals. At Monza, where sustained straight-line performance is particularly important, even a relatively modest improvement could contribute to the overall competitiveness of the package.
Why Ferrari used the upgraded engine from FP1
Ferrari decided to introduce the new unit immediately in FP1 rather than waiting until Saturday in an attempt to reduce mileage on the engine. It was not simply an aggressive decision to maximise performance, but a precise technical choice considered necessary by Ferrari’s Power Unit engineers.
Running the ADUO-2 specification from the opening practice session allowed the team to check that its components were operating correctly and to make adjustments to the parameters governing the various elements of the unit. It also gave Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton the opportunity to experience the revised engine characteristics from the beginning of the weekend.
The objective was to reach qualifying with the new specification already operating in an optimised configuration, rather than introducing it late and leaving Ferrari under pressure to resolve any final details shortly before the decisive session.
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