Racing
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Ferrari is preparing to introduce the first of its two extra 2026 power-unit upgrades at the Austrian Grand Prix as it tries to recover a reported engine deficit, with the team expecting the opening package to cut its gap to Mercedes by roughly half.
The plan hinges on the FIA’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities review, which was still being re-examined ahead of Austria after confidential performance data triggered debate in the paddock. Ferrari is understood to view Mercedes, not Red Bull-Ford, as the true benchmark on engine performance, while Red Bull’s side also sought clarification from the FIA after the findings published following the Canadian Grand Prix.
Under the leaked ADUO analysis from the Monaco weekend, Red Bull-Ford was classified as the field reference and therefore lost access to extra 2026 updates. Mercedes was listed as a little more than 2% down on power, giving it one extra upgrade in 2026 and one in 2027. Ferrari, Audi and Honda were placed further back, with Ferrari reported between 4% and 6% down, which opened the door to two extra updates in 2026 and another two in 2027.
Ferrari has already turned those concessions into an aggressive two-step recovery plan. The first update is scheduled for the June 26-28 race weekend at the Red Bull Ring, when the team is due to introduce its third engine of the season. The second is set for September at Monza, tied to Ferrari’s fourth engine and its second permitted ADUO upgrade.
According to Motorsport Italia and Auto Motor und Sport, Ferrari identified about a 4% gap to the best engine on the grid. Internal expectations are that the broader package could be worth around 30 horsepower, even if it is not a completely new power unit. As a manufacturer classed as trailing under the system, Ferrari can also make significant changes to internal engine components.
The timing is deliberate. Austria, Great Britain and Belgium are all heavy demands on engine performance and energy management, so Ferrari has moved to bring the update package forward rather than wait deeper into the season.
That matters because Ferrari believes its SF-26 already gives it a strong chassis platform. If the Austria update delivers as expected and the Monza step follows, the extra power could move Ferrari closer to the front before the summer break and give its 2026 title challenge real momentum.