Ferrari’s F1 upgrade roadmap: How Maranello will balance aero updates and ADUO engine steps. Ferrari reveals next SF-26 upgrades and ADUO engine strategy for the 2026 F1 season.

Ferrari: how the upgrade programme will continue and the ADUO strategy to preserve reliability

Ferrari introduced two major upgrade packages earlier this season, but the development programme for the SF-26 is far from over. While the Scuderia will continue to bring smaller, circuit-specific improvements throughout the remainder of the championship, the team has also put in place a clear strategy to maximise Power Unit reliability by taking advantage of the flexibility offered by the new ADUO system.

During the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, the Maranello-based squad introduced the first ADUO engine upgrade, representing the opening step in a much broader development programme. Although the initial performance gain is relatively modest, it lays the foundations for more significant improvements later in the season, complementing the substantial aerodynamic packages already introduced on the SF-26.

The first ADUO engine upgrade and Ferrari’s long-term plan

Ferrari Power Unit chief Enrico Gualtieri explained that the latest specification is “a limited update and, on its own, it will not be enough to change the competitive order.”

Internally known as ICE ADUO 1, the first upgrade is expected to deliver approximately 8 to 9 additional horsepower, thanks not only to the revised internal combustion engine but also to Shell’s newly developed fuel. Ferrari deliberately chose to use the first ADUO development token to introduce a relatively conservative improvement to the Power Unit, preferring to build progressively rather than pursue a larger step immediately.

The second, and considerably more significant, ADUO upgrade is expected to arrive either at Zandvoort or Monza and is understood to focus primarily on revisions to the turbocharger. In Austria, the SF-26 is expected to run the updated thermal engine component from the third free practice session onwards, although Ferrari will make the final decision during the race weekend.

What upgrades are still coming for the SF-26?

According to Rosario Giuliana of The Race, the major upgrade packages introduced in Miami and Barcelona effectively marked the conclusion of the principal development phase of the SF-26. Ferrari has already committed a significant portion of its aerodynamic development budget under the technical leadership of Loic Serra, reflecting the team’s decision to accelerate development once the true potential of the car became clear.

This approach was also the consequence of the relatively conservative philosophy adopted for the launch version of the SF-26. Ferrari deliberately delayed the full development of several concepts during the opening races in order to better evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the project before deciding whether major design changes would be worthwhile. Once the data confirmed the car’s potential, the Scuderia moved forward with the extensive upgrade packages that have transformed the SF-26.

The development programme will now continue with more targeted updates designed for specific circuit characteristics rather than major redesigns. Ferrari is already working on several adaptations for medium- and low-downforce venues such as Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, while additional refinements to the so-called “Macarena” front wing are also planned over the coming Grands Prix.

Engine rotation strategy and operational flexibility

According to the report, no further major upgrade packages are expected before the summer break. Together, the Miami and Barcelona developments have improved the SF-26 by an estimated seven to eight tenths of a second compared to the launch specification, with Ferrari reportedly exceeding its own internal expectations regarding overall performance and its competitiveness relative to McLaren and Mercedes.

Beyond the outright performance gain, the new ADUO engine specification also offers an important operational advantage. By introducing an updated Power Unit, Ferrari can now alternate between the previous and latest specifications depending on each race weekend’s specific requirements.

This strategy provides greater flexibility in managing engine mileage before parc fermé conditions begin, allowing the team to optimise the lifespan of each Power Unit across the remainder of the season.

Finally, Ferrari has also brought the previous front wing specification to Austria. The team is expected to carry out comparison tests during the opening practice session, with Dino Beganovic taking over Charles Leclerc’s car for FP1.