Hamilton optimistic about Ferrari engine upgrade ahead of Monza

Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari has a high chance of fighting for victory at the Italian Grand Prix after the team introduced a major power-unit upgrade for its home race at Monza.

Ferrari will run its second power-unit upgrade of the 2026 season this weekend after being granted two development opportunities under Formula 1’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system. 

Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will both use the updated units, with the changes expected to improve Ferrari’s performance on Monza’s long straights.

The upgrade includes changes to the combustion chamber and turbocharger, while Ferrari is also using updated Shell fuel. 

The package is expected to provide around 15 additional horsepower and improve the power unit’s performance compared with the version used earlier in the season.

Hamilton arrived in Italy encouraged by Ferrari’s progress and said the latest development represents a step forward, although he knows it will not completely close the gap to Mercedes and Red Bull.

“Every little helps,” Hamilton said ahead of the weekend. The seven-time world champion pointed to a deficit of around four-tenths of a second per lap in the previous race and said the new power unit would not erase the entire gap. However, he remains convinced Ferrari has what it takes to win.

“This is a step forward. It’s not the whole gap that we need, but we knew that would be the case,” Hamilton said. “I strongly still believe that we’ve got what it takes to win.”

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has also described the upgrade as a step in the right direction as the team continues to search for gains during the season. 

Monza presents a useful test for the new power unit because its long straights and limited braking zones place strong demands on engine performance and energy recovery.

Leclerc has taken a similarly cautious view of Ferrari’s prospects. The Monegasque believes the new package can move the team closer to the front, but does not expect one upgrade to transform Ferrari’s position against its main rivals.

Ferrari will also benefit from a major opportunity in the championship battle. Kimi Antonelli, who leads the standings, will start the Italian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after Mercedes exceeded its power-unit allocation.

The Italian holds a 59-point lead over teammate George Russell, with Hamilton also within reach of the championship leader.