Formula 1 has introduced a new rule for 2026 that could alter the balance between teams throughout the season. The so-called ADUO, an acronym for Additional Development Upgrade Opportunities, was created to help power unit manufacturers who fall behind their competitors.
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This measure acts as a recovery mechanism for those with inferior performance. The evaluation will be carried out at three points throughout the year, with manufacturers who are between 2% and 4% behind the best engine receiving extra development opportunities.
Unlike other balance systems, such as the ‘Balance of Performance’ used in other categories, ADUO does not reduce the performance of the leaders. Instead, the responsibility falls on the manufacturers who are behind, allowing them to close the gap through additional development.
If the gap is between 2% and 4%, the manufacturer can make an immediate change. If the delay is greater than 4%, the concessions will be larger, including more time on the dynamometer and greater flexibility within the budget cap. The goal is to avoid large performance differences that could last for years, as happened in 2014, during Mercedes’ dominance.
The new rule does not promise quick solutions, as highlighted by Mattia Binotto, head of Audi, which uses its own power units: “Engine development timelines are very long. We estimate that most of the difference to the top teams comes from the power unit, which is not unexpected,” he stated during the Japanese GP weekend.
Binotto also emphasized that recovery requires patience: “We have a plan to recover. But engine development, especially with certain concepts, can take longer. It’s no coincidence that we set 2030 as our goal. Miracles are not possible,” said the Italian.
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Another manufacturer facing difficulties is Honda, which supplies Aston Martin’s cars. According to the brand’s chief track engineer, Shintaro Orihara, the company is simultaneously working on reliability, performance, and energy management: “We are working hard to improve battery reliability and engine performance. This type of development is not short-term,” he explained.
He also highlighted that the data collected during the Suzuka race will be important for evolution: “We gathered a lot of data over the race distance. This helps us improve drivability and energy management for the coming weeks,” Orihara stated.
The first ADUO evaluation was scheduled after the sixth round of the season, originally set for the Miami GP. However, with the cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Miami became the fourth round, which may postpone the first analysis until early June, possibly during the Monaco GP weekend.
These ADUO evaluations will be conducted quarterly throughout the 2026 season. With this, Formula 1 seeks to avoid large disparities and ensure a more balanced competition among power unit manufacturers.
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