Fred Vasseur has confirmed that Ferrari will introduce its updated ADUO-2 power unit at Monza for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, ending any remaining uncertainty over the timing of one of the Scuderia’s most important developments of the season. The upgrade is expected to deliver around 15 additional horsepower, but Ferrari’s objective goes beyond outright power, with improvements also targeting energy recovery, deployment, efficiency and drivability.
The upgrade had been expected for some time, with ScuderiaFans previously reporting that Monza had always been Ferrari’s target. In his preview of the Italian Grand Prix, Fred Vasseur has now confirmed that the new specification will make its debut at the team’s home race, using the development opportunities available under ADUO. It will be the second and final power unit development step permitted to the Maranello team during the 2026 season.
Ferrari confirms ADUO-2 power unit upgrade for Monza
Monza represents one of the most important weekends of the year for Ferrari, both emotionally and competitively. Expectations are inevitably high at the Italian Grand Prix, and the SF-26 has provided reasons for optimism by already securing two victories this season. However, the power unit has also emerged as one of the car’s weaknesses, limiting Ferrari’s hopes of fighting consistently for victories and challenging for the world championship.
Ferrari has yet to secure a pole position this season, with the missing horsepower contributing significantly to the deficit on the straights. That weakness is particularly relevant at Monza, where power delivery, energy management and straight-line performance are critical. The Scuderia has therefore prepared a broader Monza development package built around ADUO-2 and circuit-specific SF-26 changes.
The first ADUO power unit development debuted at the Austrian Grand Prix and was worth approximately seven to eight horsepower, with an updated Shell fuel also contributing to the improvement. The second step arriving in Italy is considerably more ambitious.
Ferrari targets around 15 hp with revised turbocharger
The updated Ferrari power unit is expected to feature its most important changes around the turbocharger, while also following some of the technical principles Maranello has chosen for its 2027 programme. The anticipated increase is around 15 horsepower, corresponding to approximately two tenths of a second at the Temple of Speed.
That figure is significant given the performance deficit Ferrari has been attempting to reduce through the ADUO development framework, but horsepower alone does not tell the whole story with the current generation of Formula 1 power units.
The improvement comes from a combination of additional power and updated software. Ferrari’s priority is not simply to increase the maximum output of the engine, but also to improve overall power unit efficiency, energy recovery and management, the way power is distributed along the straights and drivability when accelerating out of corners.
In practical terms, that means traction and the quality of power delivery are just as important as the headline horsepower figure. An engine that can use its available energy more effectively and deliver power more progressively can provide benefits across several phases of the lap rather than only at maximum speed.
ADUO-2 also points towards Ferrari’s 2027 power unit
Enrico Gualtieri’s department is already working on Ferrari’s 2027 power unit, which is expected to represent the more substantial technical step compared with the engine used this season. The Monza development can therefore be viewed as the first move towards the architecture that will eventually power Project 679 next year.
Ferrari’s broader 2027 power unit direction is already taking shape, with the experience gained from the SF-26 and its 067/6 engine influencing the decisions being made for the next project.
Fred Vasseur has never hidden the fact that the engine has represented a weakness for the SF-26 compared with Ferrari’s main rivals, even if the team principal has also been careful not to place excessive emphasis on one single area of the car.
The Monza ADUO-2 specification will be the penultimate major development of Ferrari’s 2026 season. The final significant upgrade is a large package currently being developed at the factory and scheduled to arrive during the autumn. Smaller developments may still appear at individual races, but much of Ferrari’s remaining championship campaign will depend on the effectiveness of the new engine specification and that final development package.
Fred Vasseur: Ferrari power unit upgrade is a step in the right direction
Presenting Ferrari’s home Grand Prix, Fred Vasseur officially confirmed that the updated power unit will be introduced at Monza while also highlighting the emotional significance of a weekend in which the team will celebrate Michael Schumacher and his Ferrari legacy.
“Monza is always a very special weekend for Ferrari. Racing in front of our fans gives the whole team incredible energy and this year there will be an additional emotional element, because we will celebrate Michael Schumacher and the legacy he left within our company. His relentless pursuit of improvement, attention to detail and deep belief in the importance of teamwork are fundamental values for us to this day,” Fred Vasseur said.
“On the performance side, we will introduce an updated power unit as part of the development opportunities provided by ADUO. It represents a step in the right direction and, as we know, this season is very much about marginal gains.”
Fred Vasseur nevertheless stressed that the new engine alone will not determine Ferrari’s prospects at the Italian Grand Prix. With the field tightly matched, execution throughout the weekend will remain essential.
“Monza is a demanding circuit and the competitive order is extremely close, so our priority will be to execute every aspect of the weekend as well as possible, starting from Friday. We will draw further motivation from the passion of our home crowd and we want to give our fans a great weekend.”
Ferrari will therefore arrive at Monza with both sporting and emotional objectives. The introduction of the ADUO-2 specification gives the Scuderia a crucial opportunity to reduce one of the SF-26’s most important weaknesses, while also providing an early technical bridge towards the power unit architecture being developed for 2027.
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