Jun.8 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has revealed that Ferrari has already been told it will qualify for Formula 1’s new ADUO power-unit assistance program.
The FIA is expected to formally announce the first beneficiaries of the system in the coming days, but Hamilton says Ferrari already knows where it stands.
And contrary to widespread expectations, Mercedes is not the benchmark.
“We heard the news yesterday or today,” the seven-time world champion said after Monaco.
“Red Bull has the most powerful engine, Mercedes has the second most powerful, and we’re right behind them. So now our team has tokens to improve the power unit and close the gap.”
The ADUO system was introduced to help manufacturers who fall behind under Formula 1’s controversial 2026 engine regulations.
Hamilton warned, however, that any gains will not arrive quickly.
“We’ll do everything we can to close the gap,” he said. “But this project will take eight to ten months, so don’t expect a new engine from us next week.”
Ferrari is expected to bring updates to Barcelona, although Hamilton suggested the team’s biggest weakness may not be engine-related.
After finishing on the Monaco podium between Mercedes winner Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, Hamilton was struck by the pace advantage of the silver car.
“As we got going, I just got to see him pull away,” he said of Antonelli. “The performance they have is next level.”
“It was a good experience because it gives me a much better idea of where I need to have the team improve.”
Asked where Ferrari is lacking, Hamilton pointed mainly to the chassis.
“Just general performance,” he explained. “Downforce-wise, clearly they’re above us. Obviously on power, here the power is not such an issue.
“It’s just downforce. You could see just on traction those guys were night and day different to us.”
The revelation that Red Bull currently has Formula 1’s strongest power unit may also help explain why the FIA is not expected to grant the Milton Keynes-based manufacturer any ADUO concessions.
Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies confirmed after Monaco that Max Verstappen’s retirement was linked to a power-unit issue, but insisted the engine itself was already scheduled for replacement.
“As you may know, this was also Max’s first power unit,” he said. “We were already planning to replace the engine after Monaco.”
Verstappen admitted the retirement was frustrating but not disastrous for his title hopes.
“If I had been leading the championship, this would have been very painful,” he said. “Now it’s less painful, but still very annoying and disappointing for everyone.”
“I hope we understand the problem quickly and can solve it for the future.”
