Ferrari started the 2026 Spanish GP of Formula 1 with an important change in Charles Leclerc’s car. After the severe crash in Monza last week, the team had to resort to a previous specification power unit for the Monegasque’s SF-26 for the debut in the new Madring.
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Leclerc crashed on the second lap of the Italian GP, after losing control at Parabolica. The impact against the tire barrier reached 60G and ended the driver’s race early, who had started third and was hoping to fight for the podium.
The accident also had consequences for Ferrari’s planning. Shortly before the Italian round, the team had installed the latest FIA ADUO [additional development and upgrade opportunities] update on the car. It was Ferrari’s first power unit update of the season.
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With the updated engine compromised after the crash, the team opted to use a pre-ADUO unit that was part of their pool for the race in Spain.
The forecast is that the power unit updated with ADUO will return to the Monegasque’s car already at the next round, the Azerbaijan GP, in two weeks.
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