Ferrari is reportedly adding 15 horsepower to its power unit, and it’s done it at one of the most important parts of the calendar. As per a report from AutoRacer, the Scuderia is preparing a 2026 power unit upgrade for the Italian Grand Prix, something that could bring the team a gain of two-tenths of a second per lap.
This is yet to be confirmed by the Italian outfit. But with the upgrades from the ADUO coming together for all but one team (poor Red Bull) across the grid, and other rumors surrounding the team hinting at an increase in ICE power, this may not be too far from the truth.
Why Monza Makes 15 Horsepower Matter
Monza boasts a 5.793-kilometer lap, 53 laps, and a 306.72-kilometer race distance. Roughly 80% of the lap is at full throttle, with a start-finish straight of 1.1-kilometers and a braking event that sends the cars into Turn 1 at around 350 km/h as the cars violently lurch to just 70 km/h for the first chicane.
All of this means a boost in power will be rather handy for a team that has been struggling with power so far this season. In fact, in 2019, the team confirmed that an increase in 10 horsepower would see a two-tenth improvement in lap time. Of course, this year’s regulations are widely different, with electrical energy being used to increase the total power output of these cars. So while the power from the internal combustion engine may increase, how the cars manage their electrical energy will stay a pivotal aspect of their overall performance.
AutoRacer also links the alleged engine improvement with a low-drag aerodynamic package. If Ferrari changes both drag and the power unit, any improvement seen at Monza will belong to the whole package rather than the engine alone. Any performance increase, therefore, at the Italian race, will be hard to pin entirely on the ICE upgrade.
Ferrari’s Second ADUO Step Is Already Expected
The upgrade is being described as ADUO 2, referring to the FIA’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities system. Ferrari became eligible for two development opportunities after the FIA measured its internal-combustion-engine performance deficit against Red Bull-Ford as a benchmark at more than 4%.
The team’s first upgrade came at the Austrian Grand Prix on June 26-28. This came in the form of combustion-chamber work, a steel-alloy cylinder head, and Shell fuel developed for the revised engine. The upcoming step is expected to be an upgrade of the turbo itself, with more impeller blades being added at a different angle.
According to earlier reports, this upgrade is expected to come either at Monza or Zandvoort, meaning the team will raace at the Dutch Grand Prix without the change.
Charles Leclerc tempered expectations around the upgrade: “It’s not a revolution, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
Ferrari may have a big straight-line improvement coming, but until the car reaches Monza, the 15 hp and two-tenths figures belong in the rumor column rather than the standings.