Verstappen confused as FIA ranks Red Bull's debut engine above Mercedes and Ferrari

Max Verstappen has expressed surprise at the FIA’s ruling that Red Bull’s power unit is Formula 1’s current benchmark, a verdict that strips the newcomer manufacturer of further development rights under the sport’s catch-up mechanism.

During the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, all teams and manufacturers received the results of the first ADUO — Additional Upgrade and Development Opportunities — period. To the astonishment of many in the paddock, Red Bull was placed top of the rankings, meaning it cannot develop its power unit further while rivals including Mercedes and Ferrari are eligible for additional upgrades.

“We were all a little bit surprised with that news,” Verstappen said on Thursday in Barcelona. “I guess that’s why we’re talking to the FIA now to see what happened there, how they came to that conclusion. There’s not much more to say right now. That’s what they’re looking at.”

Verstappen’s comments confirmed that Red Bull has formally asked the FIA to review the findings. That request is also the reason a public announcement of the outcome has been delayed. The FIA stated in Barcelona that a process of checking all sensors and data began the previous Monday and is expected to take between seven and ten days.

The situation leaves Red Bull with conflicting emotions. Laurent Mekies’ team takes pride in the fact that, as a newcomer, it has immediately been ranked ahead of manufacturers with far greater F1 experience. At the same time, it disputes the conclusion that it should be excluded from ADUO eligibility.

“It’s a bit double, I guess, at the moment, because maybe from the outside you should say yes, that’s amazing,” Verstappen said. “But we just feel surprised because we don’t feel like we are the best. I think it’s super impressive what they have done. If you look at it, we’re definitely not the worst out there.”

Beyond Red Bull’s specific grievance, the ADUO framework itself appears to face broader scrutiny. The current system measures only the internal combustion engine rather than the entire power unit, yet a manufacturer that qualifies for ADUO is also permitted to modify electrical components — a structural inconsistency that many in the paddock believe warrants a rethink.

Verstappen acknowledged the complexity but was careful to distance himself from the technical and regulatory debate. “I’m also not involved in this day to day. So I think it’s better if you ask someone else how accurate it actually is, the measurements. For us, we’re just surprised what came out,” he said.