FIA Finalizes 2026 F1 Engine Development Review With No New Concessions
The governing body confirms no additional power unit upgrades will be granted this season.
1Final ADUO Review Concluded
The FIA has officially concluded its third and final Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities review for the 2026 Formula 1 season. Following an extensive analysis of engine data from the Dutch Grand Prix through the United States Grand Prix, no manufacturer has been granted any new power unit homologation opportunities.
2Mechanism Behind Engine Parity
Introduced in 2026, the ADUO system allows manufacturers falling behind the benchmark engine to perform updates. The FIA measures internal combustion engine performance to determine these gaps. Once a manufacturer qualifies for these concessions, they are permitted to modify electrical components, including the battery and the MGU-K, alongside engine hardware.
3Red Bull Ford as Benchmark
Red Bull Ford Powertrains was identified as the performance leader during the first review period. This status effectively locked their development, as they did not qualify for upgrade tokens. The team notably disputed these findings, leading to a delay in the initial publication of results while they challenged the assessment methodology.
4Tiered Concession Structure Applied
Manufacturers trailing the benchmark by two to four percent, such as Mercedes, received one additional upgrade for 2026 and 2027. Meanwhile, Ferrari, Audi, and Honda were assessed as being more than four percent behind, granting them two upgrade opportunities per season. These allocations remain unchanged following the final review period.
5Stability Across Review Periods
The FIA conducted three distinct review periods throughout the 2026 campaign. While the second period concluded after the Hungarian Grand Prix with no adjustments, the third period also showed no shifts in relative performance significant enough to alter the existing concessions. Consequently, the competitive hierarchy regarding engine development remains entirely static.
6Tombazis Defends Assessment Process
FIA Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis expressed full confidence in the robustness of the data and the assessment process. He stated that the first year of implementation has reinforced the belief that the ADUO concept is the correct approach for Formula 1 to maintain competitive balance among the various power unit manufacturers.
7Future Refinements Under Consideration
Despite the current stability, the FIA is actively working with teams and manufacturers to explore potential refinements to the ADUO methodology. Officials aim to ensure the system remains efficient and fit for purpose in future seasons, acknowledging that the current measurement process is subject to ongoing dialogue and potential future adjustments.
8Looking Toward 2027 Season
With the 2026 review cycle now complete, the next evaluation period is scheduled to begin in 2027. This upcoming cycle will cover the opening six races of the new season, spanning from the Bahrain Grand Prix through the Miami Grand Prix, continuing the FIA's long-term strategy for managing engine performance parity.