Ferrari’s Monza engine upgrade is expected to recover around two-tenths of a second, potentially addressing only half of the straight-line deficit Lewis Hamilton identified after finishing fourth at the Dutch Grand Prix. The anticipated improvement represents progress for the Scuderia, but it may not completely resolve a weakness that could become even more costly at the power-sensitive Italian Grand Prix.
Hamilton estimated that Ferrari had lost four-tenths of a second on the straights at Zandvoort during his late pursuit of George Russell. Although the British driver also believed that delayed team orders had cost him crucial time behind Charles Leclerc, the SF-26’s speed deficit made it harder to convert his recovery into a podium finish.
The seven-time world champion crossed the line only eight-tenths behind Russell, leaving both Ferrari’s race management and straight-line performance under scrutiny before Formula 1 travels to Monza. With its long full-throttle sections and heavy braking zones, the 3.6-mile circuit will place the new-generation 2026 power units under their most demanding examination so far.
Lewis Hamilton identifies Ferrari’s four-tenth straight-line deficit
After the Dutch Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton acknowledged that passing George Russell would have remained difficult because of Mercedes’ speed advantage. He calculated that Ferrari was surrendering approximately four-tenths solely on the straights, creating a significant obstacle as he tried to challenge for third place.
However, Hamilton maintained that the decisive time had been lost earlier, when he remained behind Charles Leclerc despite having a tyre advantage. That delay increased the distance he subsequently needed to recover to Russell, contributing to the Ferrari strategy frustration that followed the Dutch GP.
The Briton criticised the pit wall during the race for not moving Leclerc aside sooner. Ferrari eventually separated its two drivers strategically, but Hamilton believed the laps spent behind the other SF-26 had deprived him of the opportunity to reach Russell early enough to mount a stronger attack.
Straight-line speed was nevertheless a separate limitation. Even without the delay in traffic, Hamilton was unsure whether Ferrari possessed enough performance to complete the pass on the Mercedes. His assessment therefore placed additional importance on the power-unit development scheduled for the next round.
Ferrari’s Monza engine upgrade expected to recover two-tenths
Ferrari is preparing to use an ADUO token to introduce a power-unit update at Monza, a logical venue for an engine development because lap time at the Italian circuit is particularly sensitive to power and straight-line efficiency. The upgrade is expected to reduce the Scuderia’s deficit by approximately two-tenths of a second.
That gain would represent only half of the four-tenth loss Hamilton reported at Zandvoort. As a result, the update is not expected to serve as a complete solution for either Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc, even if it provides a meaningful improvement for Ferrari’s home Grand Prix.
The challenge could be magnified by Monza’s layout. Its extended flat-out sections give power-unit performance an especially prominent role, meaning any remaining weakness may become more visible than it was at Zandvoort. Ferrari’s expected gain must therefore be viewed alongside the possibility that the circuit itself will expose the residual deficit more severely.
The power-unit change forms part of Ferrari’s wider development effort after the team introduced significant aerodynamic revisions in the Netherlands. The planned Ferrari power boost for Monza is intended to build upon that work as the Scuderia prepares to perform in front of the Tifosi.
Monza presents the biggest 2026 power-unit test so far
Ferrari will not be the only team making an engine-related decision in Italy. Mercedes has confirmed that Kimi Antonelli will take a power-unit penalty at his home Grand Prix. The circuit’s numerous overtaking opportunities make Monza a more suitable venue than many others for accepting a grid drop and attempting to recover positions during the race.
That decision underlines the strategic importance of power-unit allocation at the Temple of Speed. Teams must balance the cost of a starting penalty against the advantage of using fresher components at a circuit where engine performance carries an unusually high premium.
For Ferrari, the objective is different. The Maranello team needs its new specification to narrow the performance gap sufficiently for Hamilton and Leclerc to compete more effectively on Monza’s straights. Even if the reported two-tenth improvement materialises, the remaining deficit could still influence qualifying, overtaking and the drivers’ ability to defend during the race.
The issue will also place Ferrari’s broader SF-26 package under examination. Power is only one component of straight-line performance, with the car’s aerodynamic configuration also central to the compromises required at Monza. Further coverage of the team’s developments can be found in the Ferrari technical analysis archive.
Hamilton’s confidence offers Ferrari hope before Italian GP
Despite his frustration in the Netherlands, Hamilton had emerged from the summer break encouraged by the data associated with Ferrari’s planned power-unit updates. The British driver was described as firmly convinced that he could remain in contention for the championship after reviewing the projected gains.
That optimism suggests Ferrari expects the upgrade to contribute more positively to the SF-26’s overall competitiveness, even if the reported two-tenth reduction does not remove the entire straight-line disadvantage immediately. Monza will provide the first clear indication of how effectively the new specification translates from the team’s data into performance on track.
The Italian Grand Prix also carries particular emotional importance for Hamilton as he prepares to race at Monza for Ferrari in front of the Tifosi. A stronger engine showing would give the home supporters encouragement, but the Dutch GP figures indicate that expectations must remain measured.
Ferrari therefore approaches its home race with both an opportunity and a concern. Its update should reduce the deficit that frustrated Hamilton at Zandvoort, yet the improvement may recover only half of the time he estimated was being lost. At the most power-dependent venue on the calendar, the remaining two-tenth gap could still prove highly significant.
Alongside its technical work, the Scuderia will also need to avoid a repeat of the strategic delay that complicated Hamilton’s Dutch Grand Prix. The possibility of team orders involving Hamilton and Leclerc had already been identified as a sensitive issue, and Monza’s overtaking opportunities could again require clear decisions from the pit wall.
For the latest developments surrounding the seven-time world champion’s first Ferrari campaign, ScuderiaFans also maintains a dedicated Lewis Hamilton news archive.
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