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The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has officially released its findings from the performance measurements of Formula 1 power units during the first two ADUO periods of the 2026 season.
ADUO is a mechanism designed to allow manufacturers whose products lag behind the leaders to catch up through additional homologation opportunities. It's crucial to note that ADUO only considers the performance of the internal combustion engine, not the hybrid component.
During the first period, which covered the initial five rounds (Australia, China, Japan, Miami, and Canada), Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi, and Honda were deemed to be sufficiently behind the benchmark (Red Bull) to qualify for additional development opportunities. Mercedes' deficit was in the 2-4% range, granting the Silver Arrows one extra homologation opportunity by the end of the year and another in the 2027 season. Meanwhile, Ferrari, Audi, and Honda were more than 4% behind, allowing them two additional homologations in 2026 and two more in 2027.
In the second period, encompassing races in Monaco, Barcelona, Austria, Great Britain, Belgium, and Hungary, no manufacturer lagged enough to earn further homologations. The FIA will not provide additional information regarding the power units due to the confidential nature of the subject.
Ferrari and Audi have already implemented one ADUO upgrade in 2026, with the Scuderia's second power unit update anticipated for the Italian Grand Prix next week. It is also expected that Mercedes will introduce changes to their engine at Monza, where it has been confirmed that Andrea Kimi Antonelli will receive an entirely new power unit and will start from the back of the grid on Sunday.
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