FIA announce crucial final ADUO results as upgrade plans for every F1 team revealed

The FIA has announced the results of its third ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) review of the 2026 season, with F1 teams across the grid learning of their power unit upgrade plans.

The system, put in place for this year after a raft of new power unit regulations, effectively allows teams with underperforming engines a chance to bring in-season upgrades to bring them closer to parity.

The review, which only takes into account the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) part of the power units, came under some scrutiny after the first review pegged Red Bull as the developers of the leading power unit rather than Mercedes, who at that time were the dominant force on the grid.

The FIA stuck to their guns and have been somewhat vindicated in the months since, with Red Bull's power unit helping them in an impressive recovery run which has seen Max Verstappen string together the season's longest run of podium finishes.

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The results of the latest review – taking in races 12-18 of the season – have now been announced.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, they are identical to previous periods, with no additional homologation opportunities granted and Red Bull seen as the benchmark. Mercedes are considered their closest rival, allocated one upgrade opportunity for being 2-4 per cent back in performance.

Further behind are Ferrari, Audi and Honda, all considered to be more than four per cent back and therefore having two upgrade opportunities each in 2026 and 2027.

The FIA's single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis said: “The FIA has undertaken extensive analysis as part of the review of ADUO this year. Based on the quality of the data and the robustness of the assessment process, we are confident in our findings and the conclusions reached.

"The first year of implementation has also reinforced our belief that the ADUO concept is the right one for Formula 1. However, it is important that the system continues to evolve to ensure it remains efficient, relevant and fit for purpose.

"To that end, we have been working closely with the power unit manufacturers and teams to explore refinements to the methodology that will support the continued effectiveness of ADUO in future seasons."

The next ADUO review period will be races 1-6 of the 2027 season.

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