Strategy

Ferrari Set to Debut First ADUO Power Unit Upgrade at the Austrian Grand Prix

Answer

Confirmed

Ferrari plans to introduce the first upgrade allowed under the 2026 ADUO framework at the Red Bull Ring. The team will ship the third specification of its 067/6 power unit to Spielberg, paired with a revised Shell fuel blend. The move is pending FIA sign-off and is designed to chip away at a power deficit of more than four per cent relative to benchmark Red Bull.

Ferrari heads to Spielberg with an upgraded 067/6

Ferrari is set to bring the third specification of its 067/6 power unit to the Red Bull Ring for the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix. The team will ship that third version of the 067/6 to Spielberg, featuring modifications permitted under the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) framework, and will run it pending FIA approval. ^[1] The update is tied to a new fuel developed by Shell for Ferrari's revised combustion concept, according to reporting from Motorsport.com. ^[1]

What is ADUO and why does it matter?

As part of the ADUO system, the FIA judged the pecking order of the 2026 power unit manufacturers: Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi and Honda. ^[3] Sky Sports News has seen the document which states Mercedes are more than two per cent behind Red Bull's power unit, so will be given one engine upgrade this year, while Ferrari, Audi and Honda will be given two upgrades as they are deemed to be more than four per cent adrift of Red Bull. ^[3] Ordinarily, sweeping engine upgrades would be difficult within the cost cap, but any manufacturer granted ADUO will have leeway to operate outside of that. ^[4]

The FIA has yet to officially confirm the results; Sky Sports News understands the governing body is assessing its findings and holding discussions with all teams, including the power unit manufacturers, ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. ^[2] Ferrari, who supply engines to Haas and Cadillac, would need to offer their customer teams the same ICE specification in order to introduce the upgraded model. ^[5]

The technical picture: combustion, fuel, and a two-phase plan

Ferrari has so far been running a "hot" engine, with intake air entering the intercooler at temperatures exceeding 100°C, compared to the typical 60–70°C seen in conventional designs. ^[1] It is hoped the team can reduce the power gap to Mercedes' internal combustion engine through collaboration between Enrico Gualtieri's engine department and Shell's laboratory in Hamburg, though it is difficult to determine how much of any performance increase comes from the newly homologated fuel and how much from the FIA-approved engine modifications. ^[1]

The first phase of Ferrari's development plan kicks off with an upgrade package introduced in Austria, while the second step is scheduled to arrive at the end of the summer. ^[1] Thanks to the internal combustion engine upgrade, Ferrari's power unit is expected to gain around five horsepower. ^[6] By balancing immediate minor gains in Austria with a more substantial power boost planned for a later race, the team aims to maximise the SF-26's potential within the evolving ADUO regulatory framework. ^[3]

:::analysis Austria's Red Bull Ring, with its high-altitude air density, heavy braking zones, and long flat-out sections, is a demanding environment for power units. A modest five-horsepower gain alone will not close a gap measured in the tens of horsepower, but the significance of Austria lies in what it validates: the combustion architecture and the new Shell fuel chemistry working together. If the package performs reliably over a race distance, it gives Ferrari's engineers a confirmed baseline from which to target a larger step for the second ADUO window later in the season. The bigger risk is logistical. Because Ferrari supplies Haas and Cadillac, any upgrade must be made available across all three teams simultaneously, which adds complexity to the rollout at short notice. :::

Related reading

^[1]: Motorsport.com, "Ferrari set to introduce new F1 fuel and engine updates in Austria," accessed 2026-06-20. https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ferrari-planning-new-fuel-engine-updates-austrian-gp/10831513/ ^[2]: Sky Sports, "ADUO in F1: FIA reviewing engine findings as 'surprised' Red Bull question results ahead of Austrian Grand Prix," accessed 2026-06-20. https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13554556/aduo-in-f1-fia-reviewing-engine-findings-as-surprised-red-bull-question-results-ahead-of-austrian-grand-prix ^[3]: Sky Sports, "ADUO in F1: Red Bull engine top rated by FIA as Mercedes, Ferrari granted upgrades for 2026 Formula 1 season," accessed 2026-06-20. https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13551591/aduo-in-f1-red-bull-engine-top-rated-by-fia-as-mercedes-ferrari-granted-upgrades-for-2026-formula-1-season ^[4]: ESPN, "What is F1's 'ADUO'? The new engine rule that could shake up 2026 and Mercedes, Ferrari title race," accessed 2026-06-20. https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/48936418/formula-1-aduo-explained-new-engine-real-shake-2026-mercedes-ferrari-title-race ^[5]: Sky Sports, "ADUO in F1: What is the engine regulation that could define course of 2026 Formula 1 season?," accessed 2026-06-20. https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13534807/aduo-in-f1-what-is-the-engine-regulation-that-could-define-course-of-2026-formula-1-season ^[6]: F1inGenerale, "Ferrari plans ADUO engine upgrade and new Shell fuel to boost SF-26 at Austria GP," accessed 2026-06-20. https://f1ingenerale.com/en/f1/ferrari-plans-aduo-engine-upgrade-and-new-shell-fuel-to-boost-sf-26-at-austria-gp/