The FIA has confirmed no changes to its Formula 1 power unit rankings, leaving Red Bull as the only manufacturer without access to additional development freedoms. Under the ADUO system, teams more than 2% behind the benchmark receive extra cost cap allowances, dyno hours, and in-season homologation slots. Red Bull’s internal combustion engine was ranked first after the first ADUO period, with Mercedes 2% behind and all others 4% adrift. After a second review from Monaco to Hungary, the FIA found no improvement sufficient to alter the standings.
Red Bull contested the initial assessment, arguing its data showed a closer gap to Mercedes, but the governing body defended its analysis as robust. The FIA’s single-seater director, Nikolas Tombazis, stated the findings were based on thorough, confidential data that teams and manufacturers agreed to protect. No specific numbers were released to respect intellectual property.
The deadlock means Red Bull cannot access extra upgrades unless a rival surpasses its engine by over 2% in the next review period, running from the Dutch GP to the USA GP. The controversy has highlighted concerns that ADUO overlooks broader performance factors like energy management, where Mercedes is widely seen as stronger. Tombazis acknowledged the system may evolve with input from manufacturers, but no immediate changes are planned.
