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Ferrari rumoured to debut upgraded engine at Italian Grand Prix
Ferrari is reportedly set to run its second ADUO-permitted power unit upgrade at Monza alongside a new fuel and aerodynamic parts.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-08-28T15:50:41.000Z - 3 min read
Ferrari has reportedly made the final decision to introduce its second permitted power unit upgrade at next weekend's Italian Grand Prix. According to reports from Italian media and motorsport outlets, the Maranello squad intends to deploy the new specification at its home race following successful reliability checks conducted during the week. However, because this development remains unconfirmed by an official team announcement, observers should treat the deployment as an unverified paddock rumour until practice sessions begin at Monza.
The upcoming power unit revision falls under Formula 1's Additional Upgrades and Development Opportunities system. Earlier in the season, an initial ranking verdict found Ferrari to be more than four percent behind the sport's benchmark engine supplier, Red Bull Racing. That performance deficit granted the Italian outfit two development tokens. The first of these updates was integrated during the Austrian Grand Prix back in June.
This second iteration, widely referred to as the ADUO 2 specification, reportedly features a revised and larger turbocharger. Paddock estimates suggest the modification will yield a gain of roughly fifteen horsepower. Engineers hope this targeted power increase will halve the current straight-line speed deficit separating the team from championship leaders Mercedes. Additional performance is expected to stem from a freshly formulated fuel supplied by long-standing partner Shell.
Alongside the mechanical revisions, the team is bringing further aerodynamic updates to its home event. These packages include a fresh iteration of the team's rear wing design, commonly known as the Macarena. Furthermore, the SF-26 cars will sport a special livery dedicated to Michael Schumacher's illustrious career, complemented by commemorative race suits for drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
Rival strategies could inadvertently assist the Scuderia's weekend ambitions. Mercedes confirmed that Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be forced to start the race from the back of the grid after taking a new power unit. Team-mate George Russell is likewise facing a grid penalty for an upcoming engine change, though Mercedes has not yet specified which grand prix will absorb that sanction.
Entering the Monza weekend, Ferrari holds second place in the constructors' standings, trailing Mercedes by an 87-point margin. In the drivers' championship, Hamilton sits third, fifty-nine points adrift of Antonelli. When questioned about his expectations for the Italian Grand Prix, team principal Fred Vasseur maintained a cautious stance regarding predictions.
Vasseur noted that the squad frequently experiences contrasting fortunes relative to pre-weekend forecasts, pointing out that meticulous execution outweighs raw potential. He emphasized that the primary lesson from the preceding round at Zandvoort is the absolute necessity of delivering a flawless operational weekend to secure victory at the front of the field.