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Discover Why Haas Divided Its Engine Upgrade at Italian GP
Highlights
- Haas gave Ferrari’s new engine upgrade to Ollie Bearman only
- Esteban Ocon used older engine after prior mid-season upgrades
- Ferrari’s ADUO 2 engine upgrade featured larger turbocharger design
- Ferrari and Haas prioritized fair upgrade distribution amid tight supply
- Engine upgrade crucial at power-sensitive Monza for competitive performance
- Hamilton called the ADUO 2 upgrade a step forward for Ferrari
Haas confronted an unusual allocation call at the Italian Grand Prix, handing Ferrari’s new ADUO 2 power unit to Ollie Bearman, while Esteban Ocon continued with the previous specification.
Ferrari introduced the step for works drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Under Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities rules, manufacturers must supply each customer team with at least one updated unit at introduction.
That obligation delivers one engine per customer, not two, creating awkward choices. Haas accepted the single unit for Monza’s power demands, whereas Cadillac kept both cars on older hardware.
Haas selected Bearman because Ocon received performance updates earlier this season, including brake and power steering revisions. Ayao Komatsu called the split the fairest route under tight supply.
“Ocon had priority with recent developments, so it was only fair to give Bearman the power unit at Monza.” — Ayao Komatsu
Earlier in Austria, when Ferrari launched its first ADUO step, Haas delayed adoption until both drivers could run it together. The Monza weekend made waiting a competitive risk.
[p]The ADUO 2 revision features a larger turbocharger and reworked components aimed at peak power. Ferrari began 2026 with a smaller turbo for response, especially off the line.[/p]
FIA start-procedure changes reduced rivals’ lag, softening Ferrari’s earlier advantage. Fred Vasseur says this is an incremental gain. Rivals, including McLaren’s upgrade push, also chase Monza-specific efficiency.
Ocon accepts the disadvantage of the older unit at a track defined by engine efficiency and deployment. He expects time loss on straights and during sustained acceleration phases.
“I’m going to be driving with the old engine, so that’s going to be quite some loss.” — Esteban Ocon
Hamilton says the upgrade trims Ferrari’s deficit without erasing it, after losing roughly four-tenths per lap even on short circuits earlier this year.
“Every little helps… This upgrade is a step forward, even if it doesn’t close the entire gap.” — Lewis Hamilton
For Haas, the split reflects pragmatic resource management and a commitment to balance across the garage. The objective is immediate lap-time, without compromising equitable access to upgrades.
The team targets gains at Monza and beyond, following recent driver testing and a season shaped by tight supply and narrow development windows.
Visual Summary
Ocon
Old
PU
💨
PU
💨
No Upgrade
Bearman
✨
ADUO 2
⎯⎯⎯
⎯⎯⎯
✨
ADUO 2
⎯⎯⎯
⎯⎯⎯
New Engine
↓
Only 1 Upgrade for Haas
+4️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ms/lap potential gain
1️⃣ Engine, 2️⃣ Drivers
Monza: Power Track
😕
⇄
⚡
Fair? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely.
Haas had to choose: Bearman gets the power boost at Monza,
while Ocon keeps old hardware—and a performance deficit.
Scarcity, strategy, speed. That’s modern F1.
“That’s going to be quite some loss.” – Ocon
“Every little helps.” – Hamilton
🔧
Larger Turbo
Larger Turbo
⚡
More Power
More Power
🏁
Monza Matters
Monza Matters
Next: Will sharing upgrades make or break Haas’ Monza weekend?
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
