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On Friday, March 14, 2025, as Ferrari prepares to race on home soil at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Charles Leclerc voiced strong confidence in the team’s latest engine upgrade, calling it a potential game-changer for the Italian Grand Prix weekend. The update, part of Ferrari’s 2026 ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) allowance, follows an earlier power unit revision introduced in Austria earlier this season.
Leclerc, who has won twice at Monza in red (2019 and 2024), described those victories as the “best memories” of his racing career, alongside his 2024 Monaco triumph. “To have a bit more power is always a good thing,” he said when asked about the engine upgrade. “How much more? Only time will tell.” The Monegasque driver stressed that while the engine has historically been Ferrari’s weakest point compared to rivals, even a modest step forward could help close the gap to the front-runners.
Despite the optimism, Leclerc emphasized that Ferrari must execute flawlessly to secure a third win in 2025—after Lewis Hamilton’s Barcelona victory and Leclerc’s own Silverstone success. “If there’s one track where we can compromise qualifying slightly for the race, it’s this one,” he noted. “But our job is to make the car faster overall. On a track with long straights, we know our weakness, but we’re optimistic. Silverstone and Spa weren’t supposed to be good for us, yet we had strong weekends through perfect execution. We need to replicate that here.”
The upgrade comes at a crucial time for Ferrari, as the team battles to stay within striking distance of championship leaders. According to industry insiders, the revised power unit delivers approximately 5-8 horsepower more than the previous spec, primarily through improved combustion chamber design and wastegate control. This gain, while modest, could prove decisive on Monza’s high-speed straights, where top speed is paramount.
Leclerc also highlighted the emotional significance of racing in front of the Tifosi. “Italy has always been very special to me,” he said. “I grew up here through karting, lived with my mechanics, and have a deep connection with the people. To race for Ferrari in Italy is already extraordinary, but even more so for me. I hope we can convert all that excitement into a victory on Sunday.”
Hamilton, earlier in the day, had expressed similar ambitions, hinting at the possibility of challenging for victory on Ferrari’s home turf. The pair’s unified optimism reflects a growing belief within the Maranello squad that the new engine—combined with recent chassis updates—could elevate them to genuine contenders at Monza.
However, the competition remains fierce. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell have both shown strong pace on high-speed circuits this season, and McLaren’s Lando Norris has emerged as a consistent threat. Leclerc acknowledged that “perfect execution” will be essential, noting that even a small mistake could cost the team a podium.
In the background, Ferrari’s powertrain division has been working tirelessly to extract every ounce of performance under the stability-focused regulations, with the 2026 overhaul looming. The ADUO allowance, which permits limited upgrades outside the normal homologation cycle, has been a critical tool for teams to address reliability and performance issues. Ferrari’s decision to use a portion of its allowance for a Monza-specific upgrade underscores the importance of the home race.
As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on the red cars’ straight-line speed and traction out of the Ascari chicane. Leclerc, who has never finished outside the top five at Monza since joining Ferrari, will be looking to add a third victory to his legacy. “I just really hope we can convert all that positive excitement into a win on Sunday,” he concluded.
With the Tifosi ready to roar, Ferrari’s engine upgrade could be the catalyst for a memorable weekend at the Temple of Speed.
