Charles Leclerc reveals Ferrari ADUO 2 engine spec in Baku interviews

Leclerc Reveals Engine Specification After Baku Finish

Racing on the demanding Baku street circuit, Leclerc crossed the finish line in fourth place at the conclusion of the round won by Mercedes driver George Russell. During subsequent interviews with broadcasters, the Monegasque driver faced a direct question concerning the power unit configuration fitted to his SF-26 car. When asked by a Sky Sport reporter whether he was running the ADUO 1 or ADUO 2 engine specification, Leclerc answered directly.

“I had the latest version, ADUO 2,” Leclerc stated on air, acknowledging uncertainty immediately afterward by adding, “I don’t know if I’m saying something I shouldn’t… but I thought you knew.”

Team Press Officer Reaction Sparks Social Media Viral Spread

Television cameras captured the exact moment Leclerc confirmed the component specification. Standing immediately adjacent to the driver in the media pen, a Ferrari press officer reacted with an expression of disbelief and clear annoyance, fixing Leclerc with a severe look and signaling a negative gesture with her head before offering a tense, nervous smile. Video footage of the exchange circulated widely across social media platforms within hours of the broadcast.

Realizing the conversational slip, Leclerc looked toward the staff member and remarked, “I don’t know if I’m saying something I should not, but I thought it was known.” Prior to the race weekend, the exact specification of the power units installed on the Scuderia machines had remained a subject of speculation following earlier team incidents, notably after events following the race weekend in Monza.

Ferrari Weekend Struggles and Wider Team Context

The race itself proved difficult for the Maranello squad. Leclerc managed to hold fourth position at the finish line, resisting a late charge from Kimi Antonelli, while teammate Lewis Hamilton finished sixth. Both Ferrari cars suffered from a lack of straight-line speed along the long Baku start-finish straight, while also struggling for pure pace through the tight, twisting sections of the historic city center.

Following the chequered flag, both Leclerc and Hamilton voiced frustration over the SF-26 car’s performance limitations relative to competing manufacturers, noting that rival squads have closed the aerodynamic gap significantly. The unexpected engine disclosure added to mounting scrutiny surrounding the team’s internal operational stability during a challenging phase of the world championship season.