2026 F1 cars: FIA introduces ADUO to reduce performance gaps without using BoP. As Formula 1 gears up for 2026, the FIA introduces ADUO .

As Formula 1 prepares for the 2026 season, concerns about the new Power Units are giving rise to a gap-reduction system, though it is not a traditional BoP.

Four years after the introduction of the current technical regulations, the teams are gearing up for a new technical cycle set to start in 2026. They will face significant changes, and the fear is that these changes could create excessive performance disparities. To prevent a collapse in the spectacle due to exaggerated gaps between teams, Formula 1 will implement a system that resembles the Balance of Performance (BoP), even though it is not actually a BoP system.

This new initiative is called ADUO, which stands for Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities. Even the name hints at the main purpose of this introduction and clarifies why it does not directly aim to equalize performance across all teams.

To explain the concept more thoroughly, Nicholas Tombazis, the FIA’s Head of Single-Seater Technical Department, spoke to Motorsport.com. The Greek engineer began by clarifying how ADUO will work. “Every five to six races, the average performance of each Power Unit manufacturer will be measured. Those who fall below a certain established threshold, depending on how far below they are, will receive benefits that will accumulate throughout the year.”

At first glance, this may sound similar to a BoP concept. The difference, however, lies in the advantages offered to struggling Power Unit manufacturers. The system will not directly modify car weight or engine power; instead, it will provide the teams with tools and resources to accelerate engine development.

“The benefit will translate into three areas: additional funding for development, extra hours on the dyno, and the possibility to approve a new engine homologation. This way, those who are behind will have the chance to speed up their development and catch up with their competitors.”

Significant concerns about reliability
Alongside ADUO, there is another initiative in development designed to help teams facing difficulties. This time, however, the focus is not on performance but on reliability. Nicholas Tombazis continued, explaining: “Imagine a team that, let’s say, blows up an engine every race weekend, and each engine costs a lot of money. They suddenly realize that they are approaching their spending limit due to all the destroyed engines.”

“They would have to cut back on development to stay under the budget cap, and you can imagine how disastrous that situation would be. Therefore, we have some measures in place where, once a certain number of engines is exceeded, the budget cap starts to be adjusted to ease the financial pressure.”