Ferrari confirms upgraded power unit for Italian Grand Prix

Ferrari will introduce an upgraded Formula 1 power unit at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, giving Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc new machinery for the team's home event at Monza. Team principal Fred Vasseur confirmed the update, according to Autosport, while BBC Sport reported Hamilton's measured assessment that it represents progress without supplying everything Ferrari still needs.

Watch the highlights:

The development is permitted under Formula 1's Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities system, known as ADUO. Introduced for 2026, the mechanism gives manufacturers extra development scope when official evaluations show their power units are behind the benchmark. Autosport reported that Ferrari was judged to be more than four per cent adrift and received two update opportunities.

Hamilton said on Thursday that even small improvements matter because Ferrari has faced a significant lap-time shortfall during the season. In remarks reported by Motorsport.com, the seven-time world champion estimated that the deficit had reached as much as four-tenths of a second on some laps, including at shorter circuits. He stressed that the Monza specification would not remove the whole gap at once.

Vasseur described the revised unit as a step in the right direction and emphasised that the tightly packed field makes marginal gains important. He also said Ferrari's priority would be to execute the race weekend cleanly from Friday onward. Autosport reported an estimate that the update could add about 15 brake horsepower, but Ferrari has not publicly guaranteed a specific performance gain.

The rollout also affects Ferrari customer Haas. Motorsport.com reported that only one upgraded Ferrari unit is available to the American team at Monza and that it will be used by Oliver Bearman. Esteban Ocon said he will retain the older engine specification, although both Haas drivers are due to receive the team's new aerodynamic package.

Ferrari enters Monza 87 points behind constructors' championship leader Mercedes, according to Autosport. The team will also use a special Michael Schumacher-inspired livery marking 30 years since the German joined Ferrari. Vasseur said the tribute adds an emotional dimension to a home weekend where the Scuderia is seeking its first Italian Grand Prix victory since Leclerc won in 2024.