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Ferrari Says New Engine Gave a Step Forward but Crash Forces Reversion and Checks

Further inspection of the damaged Monza ADUO2 unit will decide whether Ferrari can fit the upgraded combustion engine before the Azerbaijan race.

Overview

  • Ferrari introduced an ADUO2 internal-combustion upgrade at Monza last weekend that the team and Charles Leclerc describe as an expected incremental improvement focused on a revised turbo.
  • Leclerc crashed at Monza and the damaged ADUO2 unit was pulled for detailed checks at Maranello with early signs positive and a final decision due before the Azerbaijan race.
  • Because Leclerc reverted to the older ADUO1 spec for the Spanish Grand Prix he said he lost around 0.4 seconds in sector one and missed pole by 0.195 seconds, which he and the team link to reduced straight-line performance.
  • Team-mate Lewis Hamilton also switched his engine specification back into the pool for Madrid so both Ferrari drivers ran the same spec there and avoided grid penalties by staying within their allocated components.
  • The ADUO process only permits changes to the internal combustion engine and does not cover hybrid or battery output, so rivals’ upcoming ADUO steps—especially from Mercedes—could widen Ferrari’s straight-line deficit and affect strategy and component allocation later in the season.