Ferrari has made a step forward with its new ADUO-2 Power Unit at Monza, but Fred Vasseur has cautioned against attributing straight-line performance solely to the engine. While Mercedes believes the Italian team has moved significantly closer to the power produced by its Brixworth unit, the Ferrari team principal insists that a gap still remains and that several other characteristics of the car influence speed on the straights.
The assessment is particularly significant at the Italian Grand Prix, where Ferrari has introduced its latest engine development at the circuit traditionally regarded as the ultimate test of straight-line performance. The Ferrari SF-26 Power Unit upgrade has therefore become one of the main technical talking points of the Monza weekend.
Ferrari brings ADUO-2 Power Unit upgrade to Monza
The Italian Grand Prix has always been Ferrari’s home race, but this year there was an additional reason for the Maranello team to look forward to the Monza weekend. At the circuit known as the Temple of Speed, Ferrari introduced its updated engine using the second development opportunity granted under the ADUO system.
Since the start of the season, one of the main weaknesses of the Ferrari compared with Mercedes has been straight-line speed. That made Monza an especially important test of whether the new ADUO-2 specification could reduce the deficit to the German manufacturer.
The update itself is about more than a simple increase in peak power, with Ferrari also working on areas connected to overall Power Unit efficiency. Among the technical developments introduced for Monza is work associated with the ADUO-2 turbo and compressor.
Mercedes sees a major Ferrari step forward with ADUO-2
As part of the usual competitive back-and-forth between the teams, Mercedes suggested that Ferrari had indeed made a substantial improvement. According to the Mercedes assessment, the Scuderia is now much closer to the power level delivered by the Power Unit built at Brixworth.
However, speaking to journalists at Monza, Fred Vasseur offered a more cautious interpretation. The French manager stressed that engine performance is only one component of the straight-line speed produced by a Formula 1 car.
That distinction is particularly relevant because Ferrari continues to face a straight-line performance challenge against Mercedes at Monza, even after the introduction of its updated Power Unit.
Fred Vasseur says Ferrari still has a gap to Mercedes
“You have to keep in mind that straight-line performance also depends on aerodynamic drag, the weight of the car, and a whole range of factors. It’s not just the engine,” Fred Vasseur explained.
The Ferrari team principal nevertheless confirmed that the new specification has delivered an improvement and made clear that the development was introduced for a reason.
“We have taken a step forward, certainly. We didn’t bring a version two unit for nothing. But I think we still have a certain gap,” Fred Vasseur concluded.
The early Monza picture therefore points to genuine progress from Ferrari without suggesting that ADUO-2 has completely erased Mercedes’ advantage. The updated engine is an important part of the Scuderia’s attempt to close that deficit, but Fred Vasseur’s assessment underlines that the final straight-line performance of the SF-26 depends on the complete package, including aerodynamic drag, vehicle weight and Power Unit performance.
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