Following the third analysis phase of the current 2026 Formula 1 season, there are no changes to the ADUO allocations for the engine manufacturers
The FIA has announced its final results regarding the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) for the 2026 Formula 1 season. None of the power unit manufacturers have had their allocations changed.
From this season onwards, the FIA has incorporated a mechanism into the Formula 1 regulations that allows engine manufacturers to implement updates if they are lagging behind the leading engine. This is done via tokens, which are allocated based on a performance scale.
Following the first phase, which ran from the Australian Grand Prix to the Canadian Grand Prix, it was announced that Red Bull-Ford powertrains had emerged as the benchmark, whilst Mercedes’ internal combustion engine lagged behind by two to four per cent.
This granted the German manufacturer an additional upgrade this year and another next season. Ferrari, Audi and Honda fell into the category of being more than four per cent behind. As a result, they will receive two upgrades in the current season and a further two in the 2027 season.
Red Bull Ford Powertrains requested a review of the ADUO analysis, which delayed the official publication of the initial results. The team disputed the results and its classification as the manufacturer with the most powerful engine.
Still no upgrades for Red Bull
As agreed by the teams before the start of the season, the FIA measures only the internal combustion engine. However, once a manufacturer qualifies for ADUO, it is also permitted to modify electrical components such as the battery and MGU-K.
Whilst Red Bull’s rivals have been able to install power unit upgrades this season, the Milton Keynes-based team is effectively subject to an ‘engine freeze’ because it is not permitted to introduce any updates itself.
In the third and final FIA analysis, which took into account engine data from the Dutch Grand Prix up to and including the United States Grand Prix, there were no changes. Consequently, no manufacturer will lose or gain any of its current concessions. There had previously been no changes in the second ADUO phase during the summer either.
“In the third phase, the relative performance gaps to the leading internal combustion engine changed; however, these changes did not result in additional homologations being granted to the power unit manufacturers,” according to an FIA statement.
FIA remains convinced of ADUO’s merits
In light of the dispute over how ADUO is measured, the FIA is open to future changes to the system, subject to the consent of the power unit manufacturers. However, FIA Formula Sport Director Nikolas Tombazis is confident that the concept is working as intended.
“The FIA has carried out extensive analyses as part of this year’s review of ADUO. Given the quality of the data and the robustness of the evaluation process, we are confident in our findings and the conclusions drawn,” said Tombazis.
“The first year of implementation has also reinforced our confidence that the ADUO concept is the right one for Formula 1,” he emphasised. “Nevertheless, it is important that the system is further developed so that it remains efficient, relevant and fit for purpose.”
“To this end, we are working closely with the power unit manufacturers and teams to develop refinements to the methodology designed to support the continued effectiveness of ADUO in future seasons,” explains Tombazis.