Ferrari is targeting the Italian Grand Prix at Monza for the possible debut of its second and most important ADUO power unit upgrade. The new specification could provide a significant boost to the Scuderia’s attempt to close the engine-performance gap to Mercedes and strengthen its challenge for the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship.
The plan has not yet been confirmed, with the timing dependent on Ferrari’s development programme progressing without delays. However, Monza has emerged as the preferred target for the new unit, which could play a decisive role during a crucial phase of the season.
Ferrari’s Spa result highlighted its power unit deficit
Ferrari produced an excellent performance at the Belgian Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc finishing second and Lewis Hamilton recovering to fourth place. The result confirmed the competitiveness of the SF-26, but Spa-Francorchamps also exposed the limitations of Ferrari’s current power unit.
The Belgian circuit is one of the most demanding venues on the calendar in terms of electrical energy management. Its long full-throttle sections and steep climb towards the Kemmel Straight placed particular pressure on deployment, recovery and overall power unit efficiency.
Although Ferrari remained competitive throughout the weekend, the race underlined the engine deficit it still faces against Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains. The complete picture behind the result was examined in the Ferrari Belgian Grand Prix review, which detailed how Charles Leclerc secured second place while Lewis Hamilton fought back to fourth.
The challenges at Spa also reinforced how difficult the new generation of Formula 1 engines can be to operate. Both Ferrari and Mercedes have discussed the complexity of extracting consistent performance from the 2026 units, particularly when balancing electrical deployment, battery recovery and combustion-engine output. Those difficulties are explored further in an analysis of why the 2026 Formula 1 power units are so difficult to manage.
Ferrari ADUO 2 engine upgrade could arrive at Monza
Ferrari’s attempt to catch Mercedes and remain in the title fight will depend heavily on its second ADUO development step, which is expected to arrive in the coming races.
After the British Grand Prix, reports indicated that the new Ferrari power unit developed under the second ADUO allowance would be introduced within a maximum of six races. That would make the Madrid Grand Prix the final possible deadline, as it is scheduled to be the third race after the summer break, following Zandvoort and Monza.
Ferrari could nevertheless decide to install the updated unit in the SF-26 at its home race. Writing in the Corriere della Sera, Formula 1 journalist Giuliano Duchessa revealed that Monza is the intended target, provided the development programme remains on schedule.
“The ADUO 1 engine represents a first step, but the most important step was intended for Monza, provided everything goes according to plan,” Giuliano Duchessa reported.
The second development phase has long been regarded as the most significant part of Ferrari’s two-stage engine programme. The Scuderia’s broader strategy to reduce the Mercedes advantage was previously outlined in the report on Ferrari’s aggressive two-stage ADUO development plan for the SF-26.
Why Monza would be an ideal debut for Ferrari’s new engine
Introducing the power unit upgrade at Monza would carry both technical and emotional significance for Ferrari. The Italian Grand Prix is the Scuderia’s home event, while the circuit’s characteristics make engine performance and energy management especially important.
Monza features long straights, heavy braking zones and extended periods at full throttle. A stronger and more efficient power unit could therefore provide a meaningful advantage at a venue where outright performance, electrical deployment and aerodynamic efficiency are critical.
The target is not guaranteed. Ferrari must first complete the development and validation work required to ensure that the new specification delivers the expected gains without creating reliability concerns. The phrase “provided everything goes according to plan” makes clear that Monza represents an objective rather than a confirmed debut date.
The development remains particularly important because the existing ADUO 1 specification is regarded only as the first step. Ferrari expects the second update to deliver the more substantial performance improvement required to reduce the gap to Mercedes.
Ferrari also preparing major SF-26 package for Zandvoort
The power unit is not the only major development being prepared at Maranello. Ferrari is also working on another important aerodynamic package expected to debut at Zandvoort, the first race following the summer break.
The updates to the chassis and power unit could combine to change the competitive balance of a championship that remains far from decided. Ferrari’s technical department is continuing to develop the car rather than relying solely on the engine programme, with the third major SF-26 upgrade package targeted for Zandvoort.
Before the summer break, Ferrari’s immediate objective will be to maximise its results at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The team must then attempt to extract another strong performance at Zandvoort before the potential arrival of the revised power unit at Monza.
Ferrari cannot assume Hungary and Zandvoort will suit the SF-26
On paper, both Hungary and the Netherlands should be more favourable to Ferrari than the high-speed circuits of Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps. Their layouts place less emphasis on the areas in which the SF-26’s power unit deficit has been most visible.
However, the unpredictable nature of the 2026 Formula 1 season means Ferrari cannot assume that either circuit will automatically suit its car. Charles Leclerc has already warned that the team must avoid becoming overconfident about its prospects, explaining why Ferrari cannot take strong Hungarian Grand Prix performance for granted.
Recent races have repeatedly demonstrated that pre-event predictions can prove inaccurate once the cars reach the circuit. Track conditions, tyre behaviour, aerodynamic configuration and energy management can all change the competitive order from one weekend to the next.
There is therefore little value in placing excessive expectations on the forthcoming upgrades before they have been tested on track. Ferrari must complete its work, introduce the new components when they are ready and ensure that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc can extract their full potential.
Ferrari’s title challenge enters a decisive phase
Ferrari has reached a delicate and potentially decisive point in its season. The team’s pursuit of Mercedes and its World Championship ambitions could depend on how successfully it manages the races immediately before and after the summer break.
The Spa result demonstrated that the SF-26 possesses enough underlying performance to challenge near the front even at a circuit that exposed its weaknesses. Ferrari’s analysis suggested that the final result did not fully represent the car’s potential, with the team believing that the lost Belgian Grand Prix victory still offered reasons for optimism.
If the Zandvoort aerodynamic package produces the intended gains and the second ADUO engine upgrade arrives successfully at Monza, Ferrari could strengthen its position considerably during the second half of the campaign.
For now, the target remains conditional. Ferrari wants to introduce its most important power unit step at the Italian Grand Prix, but only if every stage of the programme progresses as expected. With the title battle entering a fundamental phase, the work being completed at Maranello could determine whether Ferrari’s 2026 championship challenge gathers momentum or begins to fade.
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