The decision on possible changes to Formula 1’s engine update schedule is expected next week, amidst discussions between teams, the FIA (International Automobile Federation) and the category itself. Behind the scenes, the possibility of anticipating the first window of the ADUO (Additional Development and Update Opportunities) system is growing.
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The need for adjustment arose after calendar changes. With the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds, the first point of analysis — which was initially scheduled to happen after the Miami GP — ended up being pushed to June. Sources indicate that this evaluation may occur after the Canadian GP, and no longer after the Monaco GP, as had been considered.
Under ADUO rules, manufacturers who are more than two percent below the grid’s reference engine can introduce updates throughout the season. The expectation was that the topic would be addressed at Monday’s meeting between F1 officials and the FIA, but the official statement did not mention the matter.
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If the change is confirmed, Mercedes could be one of those affected, as it tries to maintain its technical advantage. On the other hand, Ferrari, Red Bull, and Audi still need to have their performance evaluated within the established criteria to know if they will be able to evolve their engines. In the current scenario, Honda emerges as the main candidate to receive authorization for modifications.
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