Will Ferrari use the new ADUO engine from FP1 in Austria? Here is Maranello’s plan
Ferrari is expected to bring its new ADUO engine upgrade to the Austrian Grand Prix, but will the updated specification be installed on the SF-26 from the opening practice session? According to the latest reports, the Maranello-based team has a very specific strategy in mind, one designed to protect reliability while keeping the true performance potential hidden until the last possible moment.
Although the FIA has yet to publish the official ADUO performance values, Ferrari’s plans remain unchanged. The internal communication sent to teams after the Monaco Grand Prix is already considered valid, meaning the concessions established by the measurement system are effectively in force.
At present, Red Bull Powertrains is regarded as the benchmark under the ADUO framework. While that status could be viewed as a compliment, team principal Laurent Mekies reportedly requested a review of the calculations, as many expected Mercedes to be the leading internal combustion engine manufacturer.
For now, there will be no new verification method, as any discussions on that front are expected to take place during future ADUO review windows. Ferrari is therefore pressing ahead with its first upgrade package in Austria, although the team appears determined to manage the introduction carefully.
Ferrari could wait until FP3
The new power unit specification is believed to provide an increase of around five horsepower, with an additional two to three horsepower expected from Shell’s updated fuel formulation.
Rather than waiting several races and introducing a larger upgrade package later in the season, Ferrari has chosen to deploy its first ADUO update immediately. Team principal Frederic Vasseur and his engineers will now look to prove that the Barcelona upgrade package can deliver strong results on a circuit with very different characteristics and a much greater dependence on engine performance.
According to reports from The Race, the SF-26 has improved by approximately eight tenths of a second since the start of the season. The Austrian Grand Prix weekend is therefore expected to provide several important answers, with Ferrari also hoping to see Charles Leclerc return to his strongest form at Spielberg.
The same report suggests that Ferrari may not install the new engine until FP3 on Saturday. Under this strategy, the team would complete Friday’s two practice sessions using the previous specification, helping to preserve reliability and optimize the rotation of its power unit pool. That approach may appear conservative, but Ferrari has experienced very few reliability concerns this season and is keen to maintain that record while introducing new components.
ADUO 2 already on the horizon
Ferrari engineers are also looking ahead to the second ADUO upgrade package, expected to arrive either at Zandvoort or Monza. The objective is clear: eliminate the remaining power deficit to Mercedes and allow the SF-26 to fully exploit what many within the paddock consider to be one of the strongest chassis and aerodynamic packages on the grid.
The second modified component is expected to be the turbocharger, although Ferrari’s immediate focus remains firmly on Austria and the performance of the first upgrade package.
There is also another factor that could influence the competitive picture. While Ferrari continues to enjoy strong reliability, Mercedes has reportedly been dealing with battery-related concerns, potentially adding another layer of intrigue to what is shaping up to be a crucial weekend in Spielberg.
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