The FIA has acknowledged that the Additional Development and Update Opportunities system, known as ADUO, will need adjustments in the coming years in Formula 1. Nikolas Tombazis, the entity’s single-seater director, stated, however, that the measurements currently used are accurate.
Read more F1: Leclerc spent holidays in Sardinia and rumors about wife Alexandra’s pregnancy increase
Implemented at the start of the 2026 season, the mechanism periodically evaluates the performance of internal combustion engines, the ICEs. When a unit performs at least 2% worse than the best engine on the grid, the manufacturer receives additional opportunities to make updates, according to its evaluation result.
The system has become one of the most controversial points of the new regulation. The analysis considers only the ICE and excludes the Energy Recovery System, which also plays an important role in the units’ power. Furthermore, suspicions have arisen in the paddock that Ferrari and Mercedes may have deliberately reduced their performance in the early stages to gain access to ADUO.
The ranking that placed Red Bull’s power unit at the top, ahead of Ferrari and Mercedes, also raised questions. Since Red Bull Powertrains currently sets the reference used to evaluate other manufacturers, there is a theoretical possibility that competitors might be interested in keeping it as a benchmark to continue receiving development opportunities.
Read more F1: Verstappen says decision about future is easier for Alonso
One of the possibilities raised would be to save the resources granted by ADUO instead of using them, keeping Red Bull as the reference for longer and preventing the manufacturer itself from benefiting from the system. Tombazis, however, does not believe teams would adopt this strategy.
“I don’t think it would be convenient to always stay below your maximum power just to keep receiving more opportunities, because what would be the point of these opportunities if, in the end, it’s not to have you at the top?” he questioned.
Despite defending the current operation of the mechanism, Tombazis acknowledged that there are points to be corrected. “I think the system is working as designed, but I also believe there are some weaknesses we need to address in the future,” he said. According to him, the FIA also intends to make the process less time-consuming and less controversial in the coming years.
Read more F1: Hamilton and Leclerc have the most balanced rivalry among teammates
