Red Bull will learn within days whether it can introduce engine upgrades before the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The FIA is expected to publish findings from its second Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) assessment this week, covering performance from Monaco to Hungary. The outcome will determine if Red Bull qualifies for extra development time or new specifications.
The governing body’s first ADUO review, covering Australia to Canada, ranked Red Bull’s engine more than 2% ahead of all rivals, blocking its upgrade path. Red Bull disputed the result and requested a reassessment, but no changes to the initial verdict were reported. The second period’s deadline expires before the Italian GP, making the announcement imminent.
If Red Bull is again deemed ahead or within 2% of Mercedes, it will lose upgrade chances for 2026. A third ADUO window exists from the Dutch to U.S. GPs, but success there depends on prior rulings. FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis acknowledged controversy but defended the system’s accuracy, hinting at future refinements.
