ADUO stands for Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities. This is mechanism within the 2026 Formula 1 technical regulations which allows Power Unit manufacturers whose Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) performance falls at least 2% below the highest performing ICE on the grid. If a team falls to at least 2% behind they are allowed to introduce additional homologated upgrades to the Power Unit during the season and will also benefit from an additional cost cap and dyno testing allowances heading into 2027. The level of ADUO other teams are allowed is calculated over three periods across the season and the level of allowance is determined by the size of the performance gap to the best performing ICE.
The first review period ended after the Canadian Grand Prix and the second review period ended after the Hungarian Grand Prix.
To refresh your memory, the first review period found Red Bull Powertrains to have the best ICE and therefore were not entitled to any ADUO. Mercedes were found to be 2-4% behind and are thus allowed one additional upgrade in 2026 and one in 2027 with corresponding cost cap and dyno testing allowances. Audi, Ferrari and Hona were deemed to be above 4% behind Red Bull Powertrains and are therefore each entitled to w additional homologations in 2026 and 2 in 2027, with the additional cost cap and dyno allowances too.
Following this second period of review, it has been revealed that there are no changes to the ADUO allocations. Red Bull are still seen as having the strongest ICE and all of the other Power Unit Manufacturers are behind by 2-4% respectively.
The FIA still found that Red Bull have mathematically the best ICE on the grid in the second review period of 2026
The third ADUO review is set to cover rounds 12-18 (Netherlands-Mexico City) of the Formula 1 World Championship.
Many people are criticising the fact that Mercedes are allowed additional Power Unit upgrades when Mercedes powered cars have been dominating so far this season. Some are calling the ADUO allocations unfair as Red Bull powered cars have no clear advantage even though they are thought to have the best ICE.
Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Director of Single Seaters has said that because this is the first year of ADUO, there are “areas which we may evolve over time, in discussion with all PU [Power Unit] manufactures”.
It is important to note that all teams initially agreed to the 2026 Technical Regulations, which included measuring only the ICE for the ADUO framework. The results have sparked heavy complaints and formal protests from Red Bull Powertrains as they are not getting any benefits and they feel they do not have the fastest car or best engine.
Add comment
Comments