The FIA confirmed that it will release the results of the first evaluation of the ADUO system in Formula 1 shortly after the Canadian GP. The mechanism was created within the new regulations to allow power unit manufacturers with below-expected performance more development freedom throughout the season.
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The topic gained importance with the arrival of the new category rules, which increased concern about maintaining balance among engine manufacturers on the grid. ADUO, which stands for ‘Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities’, functions as an extra development possibility for manufacturers facing difficulties mainly in the internal combustion part of the power units.
Nikolas Tombazis, FIA single-seater director, made a point of clarifying that the system should not be confused with a ‘Balance of Performance’ (BoP) model, used in categories like the WEC. According to him, the mechanism does not provide direct performance advantages to teams that are behind their competitors.
“It is important to make clear that ADUO is not a type of ‘Balance of Performance’. A team or manufacturer will not suddenly receive more fuel flow or more or less ballast,” said Tombazis.
The official stated that the system works, in practice, as a relief within the budget cap applied to power unit development: “It is a budget cap relief mechanism, in which a manufacturer that meets the ADUO criteria during a review period receives the opportunity to develop their engine through a downward adjustment,” he added.
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Tombazis also emphasized that ADUO does not guarantee automatic competitiveness gains: “This does not mean that the manufacturer does not need to build the best engine to win. It is not a magic solution, nor the FIA handing out advantages to those who are behind. The system only offers room to develop the power unit within the established technical rules,” he concluded.
The ADUO evaluation process will be divided into three different windows throughout the 2026 Formula 1 season. Initially, the first phase would include the first six rounds of the championship, but calendar changes caused by the situation in the Middle East forced the FIA to revise the format after the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia GPs.
Thus, the first analysis will consider the GPs of Australia, China, Japan, Miami, and Canada. The result should be communicated up to two weeks after the Canadian round. The second window will take place between the Monaco and Hungary GPs, while the last evaluation will be held between the Dutch GP and the Mexico City GP.
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