Ferrari has cleared its ADUO2 engine upgrade for its debut at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix after the revised power unit successfully completed its reliability programme on the dyno. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will each receive the evolved six-cylinder engine, which is expected to deliver nearly 15 additional horsepower through internal changes and a new Shell fuel while allowing both drivers to avoid grid penalties at Monza.
The uncertainty has now been resolved: Ferrari will take its ADUO2 power unit to the Temple of Speed. Both SF-26s will be fitted with the evolved six-cylinder engine, incorporating the updates permitted by the FIA through its Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities framework.
Ferrari ADUO2 engine gives Hamilton and Leclerc a penalty-free boost
Unlike Kimi Antonelli, who will use his fifth Mercedes power unit of the season in the W17 at the Italian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will each take their fourth unit. Kimi Antonelli will therefore receive a 20-place grid penalty that will inevitably send him to the back of the starting order, while the two Ferrari drivers will be able to fight for their best possible result at the Temple of Speed without carrying the same disadvantage.
Toto Wolff does not appear inclined to replace George Russell’s engine at Monza as well. The British driver could instead serve the penalty associated with adopting the ADUO1 unit in Baku, where the long straight would give him a better opportunity to recover positions. Mercedes is still evaluating where George Russell should take his power-unit penalty, as the team hopes to keep him in contention for pole position at Monza and counter Ferrari’s renewed push.
Monza is not considered the ideal circuit for the SF-26, but Ferrari must begin recovering points from Mercedes if it wants to remain in contention at least for the Constructors’ Championship. The team represented by the three-pointed star currently holds an 87-point advantage.
Revised Ferrari turbo and combustion chamber target nearly 15 hp
Ferrari’s engine department, led by Enrico Gualtieri, has approved the use of the new power unit following revisions to both the combustion chamber and turbocharger. The turbo’s diameter has not been changed, but its internal design has been modified through a different blade angle and number of blades within the housing.
The resulting increase in power is expected to halve Ferrari’s deficit to the Mercedes M17 E Performance developed in Brixworth. The estimate is close to 15 horsepower when the performance contribution of the new fuel developed in Hamburg by Shell Global Solutions is also included, confirming the scale of Ferrari’s expected Monza power gain.
The 067/7 equipped with ADUO2 has reached the required reliability threshold during repeated dyno tests. Ferrari can therefore approach the next round of the championship with moderate optimism, particularly as the team prepares to compete in front of a record home crowd at Monza.
The engineers have not focused exclusively on peak power. They have also worked on changing the engine’s torque delivery to improve the distribution and deployment of electrical energy around the lap.
Ferrari prepares its lowest-downforce SF-26 of the season
Ferrari will also bring its lowest-downforce aerodynamic configuration of the season to Monza. The SF-26 will use the Macarena rear wing in its most aggressive low-drag specification, a version that has not been deployed at any previous round.
At the rear of the car, Ferrari is expected to retain the FTM exhaust-blowing system. The solution forms part of the standard configuration selected for the car and will only be removed if Ferrari finds it necessary to reduce aerodynamic drag even further.
Ferrari uses AI to optimise hybrid energy management at Monza
Monza is one of the most challenging circuits for recovering electrical energy because there are not enough substantial braking zones to replenish the battery fully. Ferrari has therefore developed its hybrid management strategies with the help of artificial intelligence, hoping to extract the highest possible efficiency from the system throughout the Italian Grand Prix.
Ferrari will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Schumacher with the team during the Italian Grand Prix. The SF-26 will feature a special livery and colour scheme inspired by the German champion’s era, adding an emotional dimension to one of the most important weekends of Ferrari’s season.
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