Ferrari is gearing up to introduce a major upgrade to the SF-26's power unit for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza next weekend. The final decision on whether the new engine, codenamed 067/6, will be used by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton is set to be made by the end of this week, after approval of the parts to be sent to the circuit.
According to a report from Motorsport.com, the Scuderia was awarded two upgrade tokens under Formula 1's Additional Upgrades and Opportunities (ADUO) system to modify their power unit. Two new engines have been assembled for both drivers, but the team must still pass rigorous endurance testing before the engine is allowed to race.
The testing process presents a unique challenge for Ferrari. The mandatory summer break closed the Maranello factory, extending the testing time for the new engine. The Gestione Sportiva engine department reportedly has 21 cells with state-of-the-art test benches, but cost constraints and the desire for a level playing field mean only two or three dynamometers are used, with strict time limits.
Endurance Test Determines Timeline
The new engine must pass an endurance test that requires the unit to complete at least six grand prix distances on the test bench without reliability issues. If any small issue arises, the approval process must be halted and restarted from scratch. It's meticulous work, and even a minor hiccup can disrupt the mechanism.
If given the green light, Ferrari will install the ADUO2 engine in the SF-26s driven by Lewis Hamilton and Leclerc for Monza. The engine reportedly produces around 15 more horsepower and features a different power curve, which should reduce the gap to Mercedes while also improving the hybrid's charging phase.
Not only have the Garrett turbos been modified, but the combustion chamber has also been revised to better exploit the new fuel that Shell has approved for Monza. The performance increase comes from the combined effect of higher-calorie fuel and the advanced combustion engine.
Ferrari is not targeting victory at Monza, though. The characteristics of the Temple of Speed don't match the SF-26 on paper. However, the hope is that Hamilton and Leclerc can qualify very close to Mercedes, which will be the big favorites.
Notably, home hero Kimi Antonelli will also face an engine penalty at his home grand prix, dropping him to at least 20th on the grid. Ferrari's decision to use the new engine at Monza will be a pivotal moment in their season.
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