Ferrari could be set to receive a significant regulatory boost that may reshape their 2026 Formula 1 season following the Monaco Grand Prix.
The FIA introduced additional design and upgrade opportunities, known as ADUO, at the start of the season to support struggling power unit manufacturers on the grid.
Manufacturers who are falling behind compared to the best power unit, which belongs to Mercedes, are granted extra development time under the scheme.
The ADUO system operates on a sliding scale, meaning manufacturers furthest behind the benchmark power unit receive the most additional development hours.
Honda, for example, is expected to receive the largest allocation of additional operating hours given their current performance level relative to Mercedes.
According to Article 4 of Appendix 4 of the new technical regulations, a manufacturer qualifies if their ICE Performance Index is “at least two per cent but less than four per cent below the best-performing ICE.”
A manufacturer in that category becomes eligible for one additional homologation upgrade in 2026 and one additional homologation upgrade in the following season.
If a power unit is “at least four per cent below the best-performing ICE,” the manufacturer can receive two additional homologation upgrades in both 2026 and 2027.
Development hours awarded also increase significantly with the gap, rising from 70 operating hours for those two to four per cent behind, all the way to 230 hours for those more than 10 per cent adrift of the best power unit on the grid.
There are three ADUO windows across the season, with the first one coming into effect following the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.
Ferrari are reportedly expecting to have two upgrades available from the first ADUO period, which they believe will deliver an additional 25 horsepower to their power unit.
The first of those upgrades could be introduced as early as the Austrian Grand Prix at the end of June, giving Ferrari a meaningful performance injection heading into the second half of the season.
Lewis Hamilton, who is among the favourites to win in Monaco, would benefit directly from any performance gains delivered through the ADUO process as Ferrari look to close the gap to Mercedes.
Hamilton has shown strong form throughout 2026, and any power unit development unlocked through the ADUO window could prove critical in the ongoing title fight with Mercedes.