The FIA’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system has highlighted Red Bull Ford Powertrains as having the top-ranked internal combustion engine (ICE) in the 2026 Formula 1® season so far. Despite this leading position, Red Bull Racing has not received any upgrade tokens, revealing some limitations in the ADUO framework and its impact on power unit development.
After the first two ADUO assessment periods, Red Bull’s ICE stands out as the benchmark for other manufacturers. The system ranks power units based solely on ICE power output to determine development allowances. Red Bull expressed dissatisfaction with the results but was only able to request a factual review, which did not alter the outcome. Meanwhile, rivals such as Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi, and Honda have been granted upgrade tokens and additional budget allowances due to their relative deficits in ICE performance.
The ADUO system’s focus on the internal combustion engine excludes the hybrid electrical components of the power unit. This exclusion places Red Bull at a disadvantage, as its strength lies in the ICE, while its electrical power unit performance lags behind competitors. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has acknowledged that Mercedes currently has the best overall power unit, but the ADUO assessment does not capture this full hybrid advantage.
Red Bull’s situation is further complicated by its chassis performance, which has been below expectations. The ADUO system does not take championship standings or overall car performance into account, meaning that Red Bull’s upgrade opportunities remain limited despite its ICE advantage. Honda’s chief engineer Shintaro Orihara has accepted the ADUO results as fair and is focusing on engine development accordingly, reflecting a pragmatic approach to the system’s current structure.
The FIA has acknowledged the weaknesses in the ADUO system and indicated openness to future improvements, though no concrete changes have been announced yet. The third ADUO assessment, scheduled after the Mexican Grand Prix, may alter upgrade opportunities depending on the development progress of rival manufacturers.
In summary, the ADUO system’s current design highlights Red Bull Ford Powertrains’ strong internal combustion engine but also exposes the limitations of measuring only ICE output for upgrade allocations. This approach disadvantages teams with stronger hybrid systems and does not account for chassis performance or championship context. The ongoing assessments and potential adjustments to ADUO will be important to watch as the 2026 Formula 1® season progresses.