Ferrari awaiting FIA approval for power unit upgrades that could close the gap to Mercedes

Ferrari are reportedly on the verge of a significant power unit breakthrough — but first, they need a green light from the FIA.

According to Motorsport Italia, the Scuderia are expecting two power unit-related upgrades as part of the ADUO framework — Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities — a mechanism designed to allow manufacturers lagging behind the frontrunners to accelerate their development. Ferrari are currently awaiting official confirmation from Formula 1's governing body on which teams will be granted access to the programme.

A Significant Power Deficit to Overcome

The scale of Ferrari's challenge is well-documented. Reports suggest the Scuderia are running with approximately 25 horsepower less than the dominant Mercedes power unit — a deficit that has weighed heavily on their title ambitions as the Silver Arrows have stormed to four consecutive race victories in 2026. Kimi Antonelli currently leads George Russell by 43 points at the top of the Drivers' Championship, underlining just how commanding Mercedes' early-season form has been.

The urgency of the situation is one Ferrari are acutely aware of, and the ADUO provisions could prove to be a lifeline. As Lewis Hamilton himself has acknowledged, the power unit deficit is a pressing concern that demands urgent attention — regardless of the SF-26's chassis strengths.

Two-Stage Upgrade Plan Targets Austria and Zandvoort

The proposed upgrade strategy is structured in two phases. The first package, once approved, could reportedly arrive as early as the Austrian Grand Prix at the end of June — and is said to be capable of halving the power gap with Mercedes. The second upgrade is the more ambitious of the two, targeting a complete closure of the deficit, and is pencilled in for introduction after the summer break, potentially at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.

Zandvoort has been identified internally as the ideal venue for the second package's race debut, described as a 'preparatory race' ahead of Ferrari's home Grand Prix at Monza — a circuit where raw engine power is at an absolute premium. Crucially, the second upgrade is set to undergo two months of reliability testing before being introduced to competition, underscoring that Ferrari are taking a methodical approach to what would be a pivotal development step.

Leclerc Measured in His Expectations

Despite the optimism surrounding the upgrade programme, Charles Leclerc — who recently committed his future to Ferrari with a new multi-season contract extension — has been careful not to raise expectations prematurely.

"I think it's going to be very difficult [to catch Mercedes]. I think they have a very big advantage," the Monégasque driver said. "I think it will definitely be a help to try and get closer. Whether it will be enough to close the gap, I don't know. It also depends which level we get, if we get it at all, but surely if we get it, it will be a help to get closer."

For now, Ferrari's season hinges on the FIA's decision — and the clock is ticking.

A Significant Power Deficit to Overcome