Ferrari, a bold and unconventional approach to unlocking more power from the power unit
As had been expected for several weeks—if not months—Ferrari was fully aware that it would qualify for the FIA’s ADUO provisions, placing the Maranello team in a category that would allow significant intervention on its 067/6 power unit.
Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have repeatedly highlighted the limitations of Ferrari’s current engine package during the opening phase of the season. The two Ferrari drivers openly acknowledged that the deficit on the straights compared to the team’s main rivals has been noticeable, making engine performance one of the key areas targeted for improvement.
For that reason, Ferrari had been eagerly awaiting the FIA’s final decisions regarding the opportunities available to manufacturers for power unit development. Those rulings were originally expected to arrive around the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. However, on the eve of the Spanish Grand Prix, the FIA had yet to make any official announcement, largely due to additional investigations that have recently been launched.
In recent days, numerous reports and rumours have circulated regarding the allocation of ADUO benefits among manufacturers. Those reports have now largely been confirmed by German publication Auto Motor und Sport, providing a clearer picture of Ferrari’s plans for the remainder of the season.
Ferrari preparing an aggressive two-stage engine development programme
According to the latest information, Ferrari had already anticipated securing ADUO advantages as early as the end of last summer and had structured its development plans accordingly. Sources indicate that the Scuderia has prepared an ambitious two-phase upgrade programme aimed at extracting additional performance from its power unit.
The first stage is expected to arrive in Austria, just two Grands Prix from now, where Ferrari plans to introduce the first of two significant engine updates.
The second upgrade package is likely to follow later in the season, most probably after the summer break. While extracting additional horsepower from the current generation of Formula 1 power units remains an increasingly difficult challenge for engine manufacturers, Ferrari engineers are reportedly continuing to push aggressively in search of further gains.
Crucially, both upgrades will continue to be built around Ferrari’s distinctive “hot engine” concept. Although this philosophy comes with certain technical limitations, it also provides important packaging advantages. The design allows engineers to fit an extremely compact heat exchanger inside the car, creating opportunities that are difficult for rival manufacturers to replicate.
The unique hot-engine philosophy remains central to Ferrari’s plans
As has been known for some time, Ferrari operates its power unit using intake air temperatures of approximately 100 degrees Celsius, significantly higher than most competing manufacturers, which typically run at around 70 degrees.
This unconventional approach has become one of the defining characteristics of Ferrari’s engine project and reflects the team’s willingness to pursue solutions that differ substantially from those adopted elsewhere in the Formula 1 paddock.
Engineers in Maranello were able to develop this concept thanks largely to the use of a steel cylinder head, a solution that allows Ferrari to achieve combustion chamber pressures beyond those reached by many competitors.
As a result, Ferrari has no intention of abandoning the innovative ideas that have formed the foundation of its current power unit architecture. On the contrary, the forthcoming ADUO-supported upgrades are expected to push the concept even further.
According to the latest rumours, the updated “evo” version of the Ferrari power unit could increase the intake air temperature entering the intercooler to around 110 degrees Celsius. Such a move would represent another step in Ferrari’s commitment to its distinctive engineering philosophy rather than a shift toward more conventional solutions.
Closing the gap to Mercedes while preserving aerodynamic advantages
The objective of these developments is clear: reduce the performance deficit to the benchmark engines currently on the grid, particularly Mercedes.
Current estimates suggest that Ferrari hopes to cut the gap to approximately ten horsepower through the first upgrade package, with the remaining shortfall potentially addressed through the second ADUO development step later in the year.
However, outright horsepower is only part of the equation. Ferrari continues to benefit from several aerodynamic advantages generated by its hot-engine architecture, benefits that the team is unwilling to sacrifice in pursuit of pure engine performance.
One of the most important gains comes from the cooling system. Thanks to reduced cooling requirements and smaller radiator masses, Ferrari has been able to design tighter bodywork and more aggressive aerodynamic surfaces, helping improve overall aerodynamic efficiency.
Another key element is the FTM system, which uses hot exhaust air directed toward the rear wing. This solution improves airflow interaction around the rear of the car and contributes to increased aerodynamic load by enhancing rear-wing efficiency.
While Ferrari’s engine project has attracted considerable attention due to its unconventional nature, the team appears convinced that the concept still offers untapped potential. With ADUO development opportunities expected to open the door to meaningful upgrades, the coming months could prove crucial in determining whether Ferrari can successfully translate its innovative engineering ideas into the additional power needed to challenge its rivals more consistently throughout the season.
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