One of the biggest talking points of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend has been Ferrari’s upgraded power unit. The Scuderia introduced the first of its two available ADUO development tokens for the 2026 Formula 1 season in an effort to reduce the estimated 6–8% performance deficit to the benchmark engine currently produced by Red Bull Powertrains Ford.
The update represented Ferrari’s first opportunity to improve what has generally been regarded as the only significant weakness of an SF-26 that has otherwise impressed with its aerodynamic efficiency and chassis performance. Although the final verdict will ultimately depend on race pace as well as long-term reliability, the first signs from Spielberg provide some encouraging indications.
Friday, however, proved far from straightforward. Ferrari endured a difficult opening day and was forced to carry out an extensive overnight setup overhaul after struggling to find the right balance during practice. The changes paid off, allowing Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to qualify second and third on a circuit that was not expected to suit the SF-26 particularly well. While Max Verstappen’s accident undoubtedly influenced the final order, Ferrari also deserves significant credit for transforming the car overnight.
The Maranello team also adopted a cautious approach with the upgraded power unit during Friday’s running before gradually unlocking more of its potential in qualifying, when maximum performance really mattered.
The upgraded power unit is a step forward, but the gap remains
According to Autoracer.it technical analyst Cristiano Sponton, Ferrari deliberately took a conservative approach during Friday before increasing engine performance significantly for qualifying.
“The data suggests Ferrari chose a cautious approach on Friday before substantially increasing the level of utilisation in qualifying. The most credible explanation lies in the nature of the update itself. An internal combustion engine developed through one of the two ADUO tokens required a thorough validation of all operating parameters before being pushed to maximum performance.”
Sponton also estimated that the hardware upgrade itself is worth approximately eight horsepower. However, he believes the overall performance increase seen between Friday and Saturday was considerably larger.
“The overall gain observed compared to Friday’s practice sessions is significantly greater and can be estimated at around 20 to 25 horsepower because it isn’t related solely to the hardware. It also includes more aggressive engine maps, less conservative energy deployment, more assertive thermal management and increased confidence in the new power unit package. The improvement is consistent with a Ferrari that, after running very conservatively from an energy and thermal perspective during FP2, began operating much closer to the SF-26’s true limits in qualifying.”
Mercedes and Red Bull still hold the advantage
Despite the encouraging progress, Ferrari has not yet eliminated its engine deficit relative to Mercedes and Red Bull. The difference remained clearly visible throughout qualifying, particularly along the Red Bull Ring’s acceleration zones and long straights.
“In qualifying, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc lose more than six tenths across the full-throttle sections compared to Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with almost half a second already disappearing during the acceleration phase below 240 km/h. That isn’t simply a measure of maximum engine power. It also reflects how efficiently torque is delivered to the rear wheels, how the electrical deployment is managed, and how effectively the car exits the corners without excessive wheelspin or steering corrections.”
The data suggests Ferrari has taken an important first step, but further improvements will be required before the Scuderia can consistently match Mercedes and Red Bull in outright straight-line performance.
A second ADUO upgrade could be decisive
For that reason, Ferrari’s second ADUO development token is expected to play a crucial role later in the season. According to the latest reports, the next power unit update could arrive somewhere between the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort and the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
If the revised package delivers another meaningful increase in performance without compromising reliability, Ferrari could finally eliminate one of the last remaining weaknesses of the SF-26. Combined with the impressive aerodynamic and chassis upgrades introduced in Barcelona—which have already transformed the car’s competitiveness—the Scuderia would have a package capable of challenging for victories on virtually every type of circuit.
The Austrian Grand Prix has therefore provided encouraging evidence that Ferrari is moving in the right direction. The upgraded power unit has produced measurable gains, but the data also confirms that the journey is not yet complete. The second ADUO upgrade could ultimately determine whether Ferrari is able to fight Mercedes and Red Bull on completely equal terms during the decisive stages of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
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