Max Verstappen once again questioned the FIA’s assessment of the current Formula 1 power units. Even after a new analysis by ADUO, the Red Bull Racing driver stated that the team does not see the same scenario indicated by the entity in the data.
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The second evaluation of the program kept the Red Bull Powetrains-Ford as the reference among manufacturers, repeating the result obtained after the first six races. The decision, however, continues to contradict the internal perception of the Milton Keynes team, which had already requested a review previously.
At the first opportunity, Red Bull argued that Mercedes should appear at the top of the analysis, especially due to the performance shown by the Brixworth manufacturer. The FIA redid the measurements after the team’s request but found no reason to change the result.
The methodology adopted by the entity specifically considers the behavior of the internal combustion engine. This occurs in a regulation in which, since 2026, power units have divided approximately half of their operation between combustion and electric components.
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After the August break, Red Bull returned to the reference position in the survey, partly because Mercedes had not used the first ADUO window. Even so, Verstappen and the team’s management continue to disagree with the conclusion presented by the FIA.
During the press day in Madrid, this Thursday (10), the Dutchman was questioned again about the subject and maintained the same position: “We are surprised as a team because we are not seeing the same numbers,” Verstappen said, adding that talks with the FIA continue.
The four-time world champion also made a caveat about Red Bull’s behavior on certain circuits: “I think on inefficient tracks we won’t be particularly good in terms of energy, so I don’t expect miracles,” Verstappen concluded.
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