Ferrari’s ADUO 2 engine upgrade delivered only a modest lift to Haas’s Oliver Bearman, underscoring the team’s persistent difficulty in converting upgrades into points at Monza.
Ferrari’s ADUO 2 Only a “Smaller Step” for Haas
The Prancing Horse’s second power‑train revision of 2026, part of the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities system, made its way to Haas for the Italian Grand Prix. When Fred Vasseur confirmed that the ADUO 2 was not a game‑changer, Bearman agreed after qualifying, noting that the new unit was “a bit more power… but still a smaller step” compared with the aerodynamic overhaul.
Bearman’s statement echoed the broader lessons that Italian race officials had already recorded: the extra horsepower did not compensate for the aerodynamic deficit that keeps the team on the back of the field.
Bearman Qualifies 12th, Yet 15th on Track
Bearman settled for 12th on the grid, the best position he has earned since the Chinese Grand Prix in March. During the opening laps, the driver held an eighth‑place tie‑up with the front runners but slipped down the order as the Alpines and Racing Bulls pulled away. His lack of a virtual safety‑car pit stop left him in 15th when the chequered flag fell.
“If you look at how this upgrade plays in a single race, it still isn’t enough to pull us into Q1,” Bearman reflected, “and in the season‑wide picture, this power would have to be far bigger to change that calculus.”
Ocon Rests on Aero Gains Despite No Engine Upgrade
Esteban Ocon, who did not receive the new engine module, benefited from the revised floor and bodywork that came with the upgrade. While the reworked sidepods and engine cover impressed the technical team, Ocon remained 0.7 seconds slower than Bearman in Q2, attributing the loss to aerodynamic inconsistencies that have plagued the VF‑26 across the season.
A simple response following Q2 indicated that the car’s downforce under load could not be marginalised further, “We tried everything, but we did not get to the bottom of the issue,” he told reporters. “We still feel a lot of load is missing, especially on the rear of the car.”
Seven‑Round Point Drought Continues
Haas’s season, as of this Monza round, records a seventh successive race without points—matching the worst streak the team has endured since its 2021 write‑off. While the upgraded aerodynamics sharpened performance overall, the lack of sufficient power prevented the squad from achieving the minimum pace needed for 10th place and, consequently, vulnerability to the check‑ered flag’s 10‑point cut‑off.
Notably, the Audi team’s Nico Hulkenberg, racing alongside Bearman, finished ahead, highlighting the performance gap that remains even after the latest upgrades.
Final Observations
With the ADUO 2 upgrade delivering only incremental gains, Haas faces a stark choice: deepen its aerodynamic research or pursue further power‑train development if it hopes to break the points‑free trend before the season’s climax.
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images.
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