Automotive
FIA grants rival engine manufacturers extra development upgrades after rating Red Bull top in F1
Under Formula 1's new performance parity system, Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, and Audi were awarded development allowances to narrow the gap to Red Bull's engine.
The short version
- The FIA identified Red Bull's internal combustion engine as the top-performing power unit in Formula 1 following the first monitoring periods of the 2026 season.
- Under the new Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) mechanism, Mercedes received one extra upgrade allowance while Audi, Ferrari, and Honda received two.
- No further upgrades were awarded in the second monitoring period after Mercedes avoided falling additional distance behind.
- The extent to which rival manufacturers will be able to translate these development allowances into improved on-track performance remains to be seen.
Key facts
- The FIA evaluated power unit performance following the 12th race of the 2026 season under its new Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) competitive parity rules.[Jalopnik]
- Red Bull's internal combustion engine was designated as the best-performing reference block across the grid.[Jalopnik]
- Mercedes was granted one extra engine upgrade after falling more than 2% behind Red Bull during the first monitoring period.[Jalopnik]
- Audi, Ferrari, and Honda were each granted two additional engine upgrades after measuring more than 4% behind the reference unit.[Jalopnik]
- No manufacturers were awarded upgrades in the second monitoring period.[Jalopnik]
What remains uncertain
- Whether the newly granted development tokens will translate into measurable on-track performance improvements for rival teams remains unverified.[Jalopnik]