The FIA has published the latest results from the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) evaluation for the 2026 Formula 1® season, confirming that the Red Bull-Ford internal combustion engine remains the most powerful among the current power units. This assessment covers data from the opening race in Melbourne up to round 11 in Budapest.
According to the FIA’s analysis, the Red Bull-Ford engine leads the field in terms of internal combustion engine (ICE) power. Mercedes engines are estimated to be between 2% and 4% less powerful, while Audi, Ferrari, and Honda engines lag by more than 4%. It is important to note that Honda’s new power unit, introduced at the Dutch Grand Prix, was not included in this ADUO evaluation. Additionally, no new homologation tokens were granted following this latest publication, with Mercedes receiving one token each for 2026 and 2027, and Audi, Ferrari, and Honda each receiving two tokens for both years.
The ADUO process focuses exclusively on the internal combustion engine component of the power unit, rather than the full hybrid system. This limitation has been a point of discussion within the paddock, as hybrid performance plays a significant role in overall car competitiveness. FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis highlighted the robustness and confidentiality of the ADUO data while indicating that the evaluation process may evolve in the future.
Despite the FIA’s ranking, team principals from both Mercedes and Red Bull have acknowledged differing perspectives on engine power. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Red Bull’s Laurent Mekies have publicly recognized that Mercedes appears to hold a power advantage in practice sessions, which suggests that the ADUO results do not capture the full picture of power unit performance. Red Bull had requested a review of the ADUO results following the Canadian Grand Prix, but this request was denied by the FIA.
The ADUO evaluation remains a key tool for monitoring power unit development and ensuring compliance with homologation rules. However, the current focus on the internal combustion engine alone means that hybrid system contributions are not reflected in the published rankings. This distinction is important for understanding the performance gaps between manufacturers and their respective teams.
As the 2026 season progresses, the FIA intends to refine the ADUO process to maintain data confidentiality while providing a fair assessment of power unit development. The latest results reaffirm Red Bull-Ford’s position as the benchmark for internal combustion engine power, with Mercedes, Audi, Ferrari, and Honda continuing their efforts to close the gap within the regulatory framework.