Ferrari will introduce an upgraded power unit at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, made possible by the newly introduced Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities system.
The ADUO system was brought into Formula 1 this season, granting manufacturers extra development tokens when their engines fall behind the performance benchmark set each quarter.
Red Bull was officially named as the benchmark power unit following the latest ADUO assessment, a decision that proved contentious across the paddock.
Because Ferrari’s engine is deemed to be more than 4% adrift of that benchmark on outright power, the Italian manufacturer was awarded two upgrade tokens to use.
Team principal Fred Vasseur confirmed the upgrade ahead of the Monza weekend, saying, “We are introducing an updated power unit as part of the development opportunities available under ADUO.”
Vasseur struck a measured tone about expectations, adding, “It represents a step in the right direction and as we know, this year is very much about marginal gains.”
The upgrade is understood to add 15bhp to the Ferrari power unit, which would halve the gap to the Mercedes engine, widely considered the strongest complete package despite the ADUO classification.
Ferrari’s chassis is regarded as being on a par with, if not superior to, that of championship-leading Mercedes, meaning the power unit deficit has been the primary factor holding the team back this season.
Mercedes currently leads Ferrari by 87 points in the constructors’ standings, making every remaining race weekend critically important for the Scuderia.
Vasseur acknowledged the challenge at Monza, noting that “the field is extremely close” and that the team’s priority would be to “execute every aspect of the weekend as well as possible from Friday onwards.”
Beyond the performance upgrade, Ferrari will also run a Michael Schumacher-inspired livery at Monza to mark 30 years since the seven-time world champion joined the team with whom he won five titles.
Vasseur said that “this year there will be an additional emotional dimension as we celebrate Michael Schumacher and the legacy he has left in our company.”
He praised Schumacher’s values, saying his “relentless pursuit of improvement, attention to detail and strong belief in teamwork are values that remain key to us today.”
Ferrari are searching for their first Italian Grand Prix victory since Charles Leclerc triumphed at Monza in 2024, adding extra motivation for the team ahead of their home race.
Vasseur concluded that the team wanted to “draw extra motivation from the passion of our home crowd and give our tifosi a strong weekend” as Ferrari targets a memorable result on home soil.