FIA closes 2026 ADUO review with no new engine upgrades granted to any manufacturer

The FIA has concluded its 2026 Formula 1 power unit review cycle, announcing after the third and final Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) analysis that no manufacturer will gain or lose its current concessions. Data gathered from the Dutch Grand Prix through to the United States Grand Prix showed performance gaps shifting slightly but not enough to trigger any new homologations.

The ADUO mechanism, introduced for the 2026 season, allows power unit manufacturers that fall behind the leading engine to apply for upgrade tokens on a performance-based scale. Following the first analysis period — covering the Australian Grand Prix to the Canadian Grand Prix — Red Bull Ford Powertrains was identified as the benchmark, effectively placing it under an engine freeze while its rivals were permitted to develop.

Mercedes, whose internal combustion engine was found to trail the benchmark by between two and four percent, was awarded one additional upgrade for 2026 and one for 2027. Ferrari, Audi and Honda, each measured at more than four percent behind on ICE power, qualified for two upgrades in the current campaign and two more in 2027. The second analysis period over the summer produced no changes, and the third has now confirmed the same outcome.

“For the third period, the relative performance gaps to the leading ICE evolved, but these changes did not result in any additional homologations being granted to the Power Unit Manufacturers,” the FIA stated in its official report.

The process has not been without controversy. Red Bull Ford Powertrains disputed the first-period findings and requested a review, which delayed the official publication of those results. The FIA measures only the internal combustion engine to determine ADUO eligibility, though once a manufacturer qualifies it may also modify electrical components including the battery and MGU-K.

FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis defended the integrity of the process and expressed confidence in the system’s design. “The FIA has undertaken extensive analysis as part of the review of ADUO this year. Based on the quality of the data and the robustness of the assessment process, we are confident in our findings and the conclusions reached,” Tombazis said.

Despite that confidence, the governing body has acknowledged it remains open to refining how ADUO is measured in future seasons, subject to agreement from the power unit manufacturers.