Haas to Debut Aero Upgrades in Monza, but Only Bearman Gets New Power Unit
Haas is set to unveil significant upgrades at the Italian Grand Prix, with both drivers receiving aerodynamic enhancements. However, Ollie Bearman alone will benefit from a new Ferrari power unit, a decision based on strategic performance considerations.
Haas is gearing up for the Italian Grand Prix with a fresh set of upgrades, marking the team's first major update since the Canadian Grand Prix in May. The VF-26 has fallen behind in the midfield, overtaken by rivals like Aston Martin. The team is hoping that the new aerodynamic package will help both drivers, Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon, find some much-needed pace.
Bearman, however, has an extra ace up his sleeve for Monza: the latest Ferrari power unit. This upgrade, allocated through the ADUO process, is exclusive to him this weekend. Bearman is optimistic, noting, "Itâs been a while since we've had a major upgrade, and the team is confident. Monza might not showcase the full benefits due to its drag-sensitive nature, but itâs a start."
Ocon shares the enthusiasm, having tested the new aero package in the simulator. "I'm excited to drive this new car," he said. "It felt better in the simulator, and we hope to see those gains on track. We won't see the full benefit until circuits like Madrid, but it should still be interesting."
Team Principal Ayao Komatsu explained that both cars will start in the new spec from FP1, avoiding the usual back-to-back testing due to the complexity of the upgrade. He stated, "We don't want to risk a Friday night scramble. If we donât improve, we're not scoring points, so weâre all in."
The decision to give Bearman the new power unit over Ocon wasn't taken lightly. Ferrari is only required to provide one upgraded unit to customer teams, and Monza's power-sensitive nature made it impractical to wait for a second unit. Komatsu clarified, "Itâs a shame to leave performance in the garage. Ferrari is pushing hard to get this in play at Monza, so we had to make a choice."
Bearman was chosen partly because he leads Ocon in the World Championship, but also due to previous upgrade distribution. Ocon received the last two updates for brakes and power steering, which were prioritized based on his struggles. "This time, itâs Bearmanâs turn," said Komatsu.
As the team looks to bounce back from a double DNF in the Dutch Grand Prix, all eyes will be on how these upgrades impact their performance at Monza.