Another power unit upgrade is coming for Ferrari at their home race at Monza, according to reports in Italian media.

Ferrari are desperately trying to catch up to Mercedes this year, who seem to have the dominant package and are leading both championships.

The Belgian Grand Prix showed just how far ahead Mercedes are compared to Ferrari, with Kimi Antonelli storming to a pole position-race victory double.

However, for the fifth time in six races, one of the Mercedes cars didn’t pick up a single point. This time it was George Russell, who came into contact with Lewis Hamilton’s car on lap one and went spinning off into the gravel and out of the race.

With Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finishing up in second and Hamilton in fourth, it meant that Ferrari actually closed the gap to Mercedes in the constructors’ championship despite Antonelli’s win, and Hamilton also climbed above Russell and into second in the drivers’ championship.

The Maranello-based squad are very much in the hunt for their first title of any kind since 2008, but certainly need to try to make improvements to their power unit if they are to maintain pace in the standings.

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Ferrari power unit upgrades on the way

Now, Corriere Della Sera are reporting that Ferrari do have some upgrades on the way for their power unit which will help them, particularly at more high-speed circuits such as Spa-Francorchamps.

The above publication have said that the next upgraded power unit will come in time for their home race at Monza, the Italian Grand Prix on September 6.

That will be the 13th round of the season, and is the next high-speed circuit similar to Spa-Francorchamps, with it being nicknamed the ‘Temple of Speed’.

There is often a lot of pressure on Ferrari to perform at Monza, and they will be looking to put on a show there and really show that they can challenge for this season’s world championship.

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Carlos Sainz believes that Kimi Antonelli needs to keep his emotions in check following an incident during the first practice session of the Belgian Grand Prix.

The championship leader was upset following what he felt was an impeding incident from Williams driver Sainz, and it led to the young Italian calling the Spaniard an ‘idiot’ over Mercedes team radio.

Now, Sainz has insisted that his rival’s comments on team radio were both inappropriate and uncalled for.

The incident unfolded as the drivers exited the Stavelot corner at the Spa Circuit.

Antonelli, feeling hindered by the slow-moving Williams ahead, eased off the throttle and cut in right in front of Sainz. In doing this, the 19‐year-old Italian also shouted over team radio: “Sainz, what an idiot!”

Shortly after, near the bus stop chicane, Sainz got his car back into the rhythm while Antonelli chose to head to the pit lane instead of engaging in further on-track battles.

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Sainz annoyed by Antonelli’s team radio comments

“I think he felt like I impeded him, I don’t feel like I did,” Sainz told media after the session.

“I guess nowadays with the SM [straight mode], if you don’t get out of the way exactly, you cannot turn because you have no downforce with the wings open.

“Maybe he felt like I could have got out of the way in a better way. But I don’t think he should call me an idiot either, on the radio, I think that’s forbidden, to swear and insult a rival – so I think he should calm down a bit.”

Antonelli defends Sainz comments

After setting the fastest time in the second practice session, Antonelli defended his outburst by pointing to the safety risks involved.

“He backed off out of a fast corner, you exit in seventh gear, and I had to abort and it was quite risky,” Antonelli told media after the incident.

“So of course I was not happy with it and of course what I said probably, in the heat of the moment, is not the best – but it was quite dangerous.”

The stewards declined to take action against Sainz for a possible impeding penalty, suggesting they saw nothing wrong with Sainz’s actions in the session.

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Ollie Bearman has admitted he is flattered by the rumours linking him to a potential move to Red Bull, but things came to a sudden halt when he was pressed about his future at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The young Brit, now in his second full Formula 1 season with Haas, stressed ahead of the race that these are merely speculations.

“It’s flattering to be mentioned in connection with a team as successful as Red Bull, even if it’s just talk,” he told GPFans at Spa.

“Right now, my main focus is on my work at Haas.” The future of this promising talent has become a hot topic in the paddock.

According to Sky Sports F1, Red Bull is closely monitoring his progress as a possible replacement for Max Verstappen.

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Links with Ferrari

Bearman’s past involvement in Ferrari’s development program makes a future with the Scuderia seem like a natural step.

When asked if he sees himself with Ferrari rather than Red Bull, he replied affirmatively.

“I hope so,” he said. “I don’t have complete control over that, but Ferrari has trusted me since my days in Formula 3 and even gave me a seat for 2024.

“They’re truly the reason I’m here today.”

Two years ago in Saudi Arabia, he filled in for Carlos Sainz, who was sidelined by appendicitis, before eventually joining Haas.

However, a straight move to the factory team in Maranello appears unlikely in the near future, given the long-term deals already in place with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

No Contract for 2027?

Despite his strong connection with Ferrari, Bearman’s long-term future remains uncertain.

He confirmed that once his current deal expires, he isn’t tied down anywhere. “At the moment, I don’t have a contract for next year, so I’m still in the dark about 2027,” he admitted.

When pressed about whether he’d truly be a “free agent” next season, he quickly clarified, “No, that’s not what I meant.” Before GPFans and other media could delve deeper into his contractual status, Haas’ PR team stepped in to put an end to the discussion about his future.

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