After a first ADUO upgrade that allowed it to start reducing its deficit, Maranello is now preparing a second, more ambitious specification, including a new turbo.
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Ferrari continues its offensive on the development of its powertrain.
According to information from AutoRacer, this upgrade called ADUO 2 (as part of the second phase of the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities program) could bring about 10 additional horsepower, nearly double the gain obtained with the first update.
A new turbocharger at the heart of the upgrade
A particularly significant improvement since Ferrari’s current deficit compared to the benchmark is estimated at about 15 horsepower. If the expected gains are confirmed on track, the Scuderia could significantly reduce this gap.
Ferrari would not yet reach perfect power parity but would have a much more favorable situation to exploit the qualities of the SF-26, whose chassis and aerodynamics have shown clear progress over recent races.
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ADUO 2 will be a much deeper intervention than the first upgrade. The turbocharger will notably be one of the main focus areas for Maranello’s engineers. It has been redesigned to improve its efficiency and allow better exploitation of the thermal part of the powertrain.
Closing the deficit
With the new engine regulations introduced in 2026, maximum power is indeed only part of the equation. The efficiency with which this power is produced and used has become essential, especially due to the much greater importance given to the electric component.
Ferrari is therefore looking both to improve the pure performance of its thermal engine and to optimize its operation with the entire hybrid system. The first ADUO upgrade had already allowed the Scuderia to begin closing the gap with the most efficient engine manufacturers. With ADUO 2, Ferrari now hopes to take a much more significant step forward.
A gain close to 10 horsepower would especially allow the SF-26 to better exploit the qualities of its chassis and aerodynamics, which could then better compensate for the remaining engine deficit.
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