Ferrari brings engine upgrade to Italian Grand Prix

Ferrari is set to deploy a significant engine upgrade at its home Italian Grand Prix this weekend, a move aimed at revitalizing its championship challenge against Mercedes. The team will introduce its second Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO)-permitted power unit of the season at Monza, combining enhanced engine performance with specific aerodynamic updates for the high-speed circuit.

The upgrade, designated the 0677 engine, features a revised combustion chamber and turbocharger. It is forecast to deliver an increase of approximately 15 horsepower, a gain expected to halve the performance deficit to the Mercedes power unit, which is widely regarded as the benchmark in the paddock. Further performance improvements are anticipated from a new fuel developed in partnership with Shell. Ferrari earned the right to two such upgrades after being found to be more than four percent behind the ADUO benchmark set by Red Bull's power unit earlier in the season. The team introduced its first upgrade at the Austrian Grand Prix in June.

To complement the engine gains, Ferrari is bringing a new, more aerodynamically efficient version of its "Macarena" rear wing, specifically...