Ferrari awaits FIA approval for aggressive Austrian GP engine and fuel upgrade
Ferrari is waiting for official FIA approval before introducing its upgraded Formula 1 power unit, with the revised specification provisionally targeted for the Austrian Grand Prix.
The third version of the 067/6 engine is due to be sent to Spielberg with modifications permitted under ADUO, the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities framework. Ferrari intends to run the unit if the governing body gives the green light, as Maranello seeks to reduce its horsepower deficit to Mercedesâ internal combustion engine.
Ferrari pushes its steel-alloy concept further
The upgraded power unit continues Ferrariâs commitment to a steel-alloy cylinder head, pushing the concept beyond its current operating window. The advantage is clear: steel alloy allows the combustion chamber to tolerate significantly higher temperatures than an aluminium cylinder head could withstand. At comparable temperatures, aluminium would risk structural failure.
That architecture is being paired with a new Shell fuel developed specifically for this configuration. The collaboration between Enrico Gualtieriâs engine department and Shellâs Hamburg laboratory is central to Ferrariâs planned step, although it remains difficult to separate how much performance comes from the newly homologated fuel and how much from the FIA-approved engine changes.
Ferrari has already been operating a notably hot engine concept, with intake air entering the intercooler at more than 100C, compared with the 60â70C range typical of more conventional designs. From Austria onward, that limit is expected to rise beyond 115C.
Power, efficiency and the Mercedes target
The higher temperature and pressure inside the combustion chamber should allow a larger proportion of fuel particles to burn. In practical terms, Ferrari is seeking a cleaner and more efficient combustion process, converting more chemical potential energy into mechanical work while producing fewer emissions.
That potential gain is especially significant after Lewis Hamiltonâs Barcelona victory lifted morale inside the team. Ferrari now hopes to validate another step in Styria, where the SF-26 is also expected to run its second aerodynamic upgrade package of the season after the version introduced in Miami. For more context on that development direction, read our analysis of Ferrariâs Barcelona upgrade and Hamiltonâs breakthrough.
In Barcelona, reduced drag and increased downforce allowed Loic Serraâs Ferrari package to prevail, with the car proving particularly strong on tyre wear. That result ended Mercedesâ run of six consecutive wins.
Reliability remains under scrutiny
Ferrariâs post-race debrief also focused on the electronic failure that disabled Charles Leclercâs hydraulic system in Spain, costing him power steering, brake-by-wire and active aerodynamic systems. Engineers are still investigating the cause, with suggestions of similarities to Leclercâs Antony Noghes incident in Monaco.
Ferrari may be closing in, but Austria will also bring pressure from Red Bull, which has scheduled a major upgrade package for its home circuit.
Simone Scanu
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.