The upcoming Italian Grand Prix in Monza is approaching, and Ferrari finds itself at a crucial crossroads. The Scuderia has the opportunity to implement two upgrades of its engine through the ADUO (Additional Upgrades and Opportunities) system, but it must decide whether to use them for the race.
With the new engines already installed in the cars of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, the final decision will be made at the end of this week. This involves the approval of the parts that will be sent to Monza, a process that, while it may seem outdated, reflects complex regulations.
The seasonal break has not benefited Ferrari, as the shutdown of the Maranello factory has extended the testing time for the new engine, identified as 067/6. Before the engine can be used in a race, it must complete at least six Grands Prix on the test bench without reliability issues.
The motorsport management unit has 21 cells with state-of-the-art test benches, but due to budget restrictions and the need to equalize the level of competition, only two or three dynamometers can be used in strict timeframes. Any reliability issue that involves minor changes requires the repetition of the approval process.
Ferrari is thus awaiting the verdict on the installation of the ADUO2 engine in its cars. This upgrade promises a power increase of about 15 horsepower and a different power curve, facilitating an improvement in the hybrid load phase.
Additionally, the Scuderia plans to present a special license in commemoration of Michael Schumacher‘s career at Maranello. With the upgraded engines, Ferrari is expected to compete more closely with Mercedes, although the characteristics of the Monza circuit may not be the most suitable for its SF-26.
The Italian Grand Prix will be a key moment to establish the hierarchy of engines after the modifications, on a layout where electric load is difficult to achieve.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
