Ferrari head to the 2026 F1 Italian GP at Monza with an updated power unit, confirmed as part of the ADUO development framework. The weekend also marks 30 years since Michael Schumacher’s first Italian GP victory with Ferrari, on 8 September 1996. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will race in a special livery inspired by that season’s car. Vice Chairman Piero Ferrari also reflected on the anniversary ahead of the weekend.
Vasseur on Ferrari’s goals at the 2026 F1 Italian GP
Speaking ahead of the 2026 F1 Italian GP, Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur highlighted the emotional significance of the weekend while addressing the team’s performance outlook at Monza.
“Monza is always a very special weekend for Ferrari. Racing in front of our tifosi gives the whole team incredible energy and this year there will be an additional emotional dimension as we celebrate Michael Schumacher and the legacy he has left in our company. His relentless pursuit of improvement, attention to detail and strong belief in teamwork are values that remain key to us today.
“On the performance side, we are introducing an updated power unit as part of the development opportunities available under ADUO. It represents a step in the right direction and as we know this year is very much about marginal gains.”
Monza’s long straights put significant demand on power unit performance. The ADUO upgrade arrives at a well-timed moment for Ferrari at the 2026 F1 Italian GP.
“Monza is a demanding circuit and the field is extremely close, and our priority will be to execute every aspect of the weekend as well as possible, from Friday onwards. We want to draw extra motivation from the passion of our home crowd and give our tifosi a strong weekend.”
Piero Ferrari on what Monza means for the Scuderia
Piero Ferrari, Vice Chairman of the Scuderia, spoke about what makes Monza a unique occasion for the team. He pointed to the crowd and the atmosphere as forces that drive the entire team to raise their level every year.
“Every time we come to Monza, what strikes me most is the warmth of the fans. Monza has always been a special place for Ferrari, and there is always an expectation that the team can do something special, regardless of how the season has gone up to that point. The unique atmosphere of the circuit, the support from the fans and the passion you can feel here produce a special energy for the whole team, encouraging everyone and the drivers to give their very best.”
Piero Ferrari on Schumacher’s 1996 F1 Italian GP victory and his bond with the fans
This year’s livery takes inspiration from the 1996 Ferrari. Piero Ferrari was asked what he remembered about Schumacher’s first Monza win. He also reflected on how significant that victory was in building the bond between Schumacher and the fans.
“At the beginning of the Schumacher era, Ferrari was not yet in a position to fight consistently for victories, but Michael was still able to produce great results thanks to his extraordinary qualities. His victory at Monza in 1996 is a perfect example: it was a performance worthy of a great champion, at a venue that has a particular significance for Ferrari.
“I believe that day was also important in terms of the relationship between Michael and the fans. He had only been at Ferrari for a few months and had already won in Spain and Belgium, but winning at Monza, in front of that crowd, helped to create a bond that would grow ever stronger in the years that followed. Michael understood what it meant to race for Ferrari and how important that was to our fans, and I believe that this was also why he became such an important part of their history and earned such a special place in their hearts.”
Piero Ferrari on Schumacher’s legacy and what it means for Ferrari at the F1 Italian GP
Schumacher’s legacy at Ferrari goes beyond wins and the five Drivers’ Championships he delivered. Asked which of his values left the deepest mark on the Scuderia, Piero Ferrari pointed to his use of data as the most transformative contribution.
“Yes, that’s true. Yes, that’s true. In Michael’s time, there was a major change in the way we worked. Until then, the development of the car was based mainly on what the driver felt, his comments and the technical data gathered on track. Michael took this a step further: he also began to study what he was doing inside the car.
“I remember that he would take the telemetry data home with him so that he could analyse every detail of his driving, understand where he could improve and identify the points on the circuit where he could make the difference. This extremely methodical, data-driven approach had a profound impact on Ferrari’s culture, and it is still reflected in certain practices within the team today.
“Naturally, times were very different then. Back then there was far more testing, and all this analysis helped to prepare as thoroughly as possible for practice, qualifying and the race. Today, the regulations place much greater restrictions on testing, but the principle remains the same.
“Michael demonstrated how important it was to study every detail, use data as a tool for improvement and prepare with the utmost care, even when away from the track. I believe this ability to analyse your own work and constantly look for ways to improve is one of the most significant legacies he left Ferrari.”
Ferrari arrive at the 2026 F1 Italian GP carrying the momentum of a power unit upgrade and the weight of a historic anniversary. Monza has always brought out the best in the Scuderia. This weekend, they will be looking to do the same again.
