Ferrari unleash ADUO power upgrade at Monza to close gap on Mercedes

Ferrari will deploy their first ADUO-sanctioned power unit upgrade at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix in Monza, with the update expected to add around 15bhp and cut the team’s engine deficit to Mercedes roughly in half.

F1’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities system, introduced for the 2026 season, allows manufacturers that trail the designated benchmark by more than 4% on power to earn extra development tokens. Red Bull was controversially named as the performance reference point, but despite that, Ferrari’s engine was measured as more than 4% adrift, earning the Scuderia two upgrade tokens. The first of those will be spent at Monza.

“We are introducing an updated power unit as part of the development opportunities available under ADUO,” said team principal Fred Vasseur. “It represents a step in the right direction and as we know, this year is very much about marginal gains.”

While the ADUO benchmark points to Red Bull, it is the Mercedes power unit that is widely regarded as the strongest complete package in the field. Closing that gap matters considerably for Ferrari, whose chassis is considered at least the equal of championship-leader Mercedes yet sits 87 points behind in the constructors’ standings — a deficit attributed in large part to the engine shortfall.

Alongside the power unit change, Ferrari will also run a revised rear wing specification suited to Monza’s low-downforce demands.

Vasseur struck a cautious tone ahead of the weekend. “Monza is a demanding circuit and the field is extremely close. Our priority will be to execute every aspect of the weekend as well as possible from Friday onwards,” he said. Ferrari have not won the Italian Grand Prix since Charles Leclerc’s victory at the same circuit in 2024.

The weekend carries additional significance for the team as Ferrari will race in a Michael Schumacher-inspired livery to mark 30 years since the seven-time world champion joined the squad with whom he would go on to win five consecutive titles.

“This year there will be an additional emotional dimension as we celebrate Michael Schumacher and the legacy he has left in our company,” Vasseur added. “His relentless pursuit of improvement, attention to detail and strong belief in teamwork are values that remain key to us today.”