Ferrari has decided not to use its evolved ADUO-2 power unit on Charles Leclerc’s SF-26 during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend in Madrid. The decision is precautionary and follows the unusual thermal stress suffered by the engine after Charles Leclerc’s heavy accident at Monza, despite subsequent factory checks indicating that the unit had survived the impact.
As a result, Charles Leclerc began the Madrid weekend with an engine specification used before the ADUO-2 power unit introduced at Monza. The Monegasque driver nevertheless finished FP1 in third place, ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton but behind the two Mercedes cars of George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Why Charles Leclerc is not using Ferrari’s ADUO-2 engine in Madrid
The obvious question is why Ferrari has chosen, barring a change of plan later in the weekend, not to use its more developed and powerful engine at a Grand Prix where the team expected to be significantly more competitive than it was at Monza. The characteristics of the Madring are expected to suit the SF-26 better, making the decision particularly interesting.
The explanation goes back to the second lap of the Italian Grand Prix and Charles Leclerc’s accident at Parabolica. Following the impact, the Ferrari power unit suffered unexpected thermal stress because it remained running for some time despite Charles Leclerc’s attempts to switch it off. At one stage, the engine revs also increased, causing temperatures inside the unit to rise.
After the usual checks at the factory, Ferrari concluded that Charles Leclerc’s engine was “safe” and could be used again during a race weekend. That was important news for the Scuderia because another power unit replacement would expose Charles Leclerc to the risk of a grid penalty.
The fact that the engine survived the checks, however, did not mean Ferrari wanted to take an unnecessary risk at the first opportunity. The Maranello team therefore opted for a more conservative approach in Madrid rather than immediately returning the Monza ADUO-2 unit to the car.
Ferrari chooses caution on a completely new circuit
The decision is based on Ferrari’s desire to avoid a failure that could seriously complicate Charles Leclerc’s weekend and make preparation for qualifying and the race considerably more difficult. According to the parameters collected by the internal sensors, the power unit is considered to be in acceptable condition, but only running it on track can provide greater confidence that no hidden damage remains.
That is precisely where the nature of the Madrid circuit becomes important. Madring is completely new to Formula 1, which means teams and drivers need as much track time as possible to build experience, refine the car and understand the limits of the layout. Losing a free practice session because of an engine problem would therefore carry a greater cost than it might at a familiar venue.
It is also a street circuit, with barriers positioned close to the racing surface. As at Monte Carlo, drivers want to maximise every practice session in order to build confidence progressively and understand how close they can operate to the limits. Formula 1 drivers had already highlighted the particular challenges posed by the new Madrid circuit before the weekend began.
Why Ferrari believes ADUO-2 is less important at Madring
Ferrari’s engineers also believe the additional horsepower offered by the upgraded power unit is not as decisive in Madrid as it would be at some other circuits. Madring places significant emphasis on the chassis, suspension and aerodynamics, reducing the relative importance of extracting every last bit of additional engine performance.
The circuit therefore creates a different technical equation from Monza, where power and energy deployment were much more influential. Madrid also presents its own demands in areas such as braking and recovery, with the energy-management challenge differing significantly from the Italian Grand Prix.
With that in mind, Ferrari concluded that the performance benefit of using the ADUO-2 unit in free practice did not justify the risk of a failure. The team would rather give Charles Leclerc uninterrupted running with the older specification and use the sessions to learn a circuit that is new to everyone.
Charles Leclerc’s ADUO-2 engine set to return in Baku
According to information gathered in the Spanish Grand Prix paddock, Ferrari is instead planning to reinstall the Monza crash power unit on Charles Leclerc’s car during FP1 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
The reasoning is different there. Teams and drivers already know the Baku circuit much better, so a potential engine problem during first practice would be easier to manage from a weekend-preparation perspective. The extremely long final straight also makes additional horsepower considerably more valuable, giving Ferrari a stronger reason to assess the ADUO-2 specification on track.
The Madrid decision is therefore not an indication that Ferrari has abandoned Charles Leclerc’s upgraded engine following the Monza accident. Instead, it is a calculated precaution based on the combination of the unit’s previous thermal stress, the need to maximise mileage at a brand-new circuit and the relatively limited benefit of additional power at Madring.
For Charles Leclerc, the immediate priority is consequently to complete as much running as possible and build confidence with the new circuit ahead of qualifying and the race. Ferrari’s full weekend timetable can be found in the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix schedule and session start times, while the ADUO-2 engine is expected to face its more meaningful return to track action when Formula 1 reaches Baku.
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