Ferrari Planning Aggressive Engine Upgrades Following ADUO Boost

Ferrari is preparing an aggressive two-step engine upgrade program after the FIA's ADUO analysis identified its power unit as among the weakest on the grid. The Italian manufacturer will exploit its full allocation of extra upgrades to introduce performance packages at the Austrian Grand Prix and Monza, targeting a significant reduction in its power deficit.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's victory in Barcelona proved Ferrari's chassis can win races, but the team has been held back by engine performance relative to Red Bull and Mercedes. Closing that gap could transform the Scuderia from an occasional winner into a consistent championship threat, especially as Red Bull has been frozen out of further development after being named the benchmark.

The details:

• The first evolution debuts at the Austrian Grand Prix at the end of June with Ferrari's third engine, timed ahead of the power-hungry rounds in Austria, Britain, and Belgium.
• A second step follows at Monza in September, coinciding with the fourth power unit and the second permitted ADUO upgrade.
• Thanks to Ferrari's underdog status, the team can make extensive internal changes without a completely new power unit, with expectations of a roughly 30-horsepower gain.
• Engine chief Enrico Gualtieri is leading the push, though the team initially resisted the new power ratio rules because extra updates provide diminishing returns as the internal combustion engine regains importance.

What's next:

The coming weeks will show whether the Austrian package delivers consistent gains without compromising reliability. If successful, Ferrari could enter the summer break as a genuine force across all track types, setting up a fierce second-half battle in both championships.