What was meant to be Formula 1’s solution for balancing engine performance is rapidly becoming one of the championship’s most controversial technical topics. The FIA’s ADUO system has left Red Bull facing an unexpected disadvantage, despite being recognised as the benchmark engine manufacturer.
A bitter pill for Red Bull to swallow
The ADUO system was introduced as a compromise between the much-criticised Balance of Performance concept and the risk of manufacturers being locked into years of uncompetitive power units. Instead, the mechanism is proving far more complicated than expected, leaving teams and observers with plenty of unanswered questions.
During the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, the FIA informed manufacturers of the results from the first ADUO checkpoint. Teams eligible to make upgrades immediately began work on their power units, with Audi introducing changes in Barcelona and Ferrari rolling out its own engine improvements from the Austrian Grand Prix onward.
However, the FIA never officially published the performance rankings. Red Bull was reportedly stunned to discover that its internal combustion engine had been classified as the strongest on the grid, making the team ineligible for any ADUO performance upgrades.
FIA willing to explain—but not change the decision
Red Bull reacted immediately by seeking clarification from the FIA, but the team’s request is not expected to alter the outcome. According to The Race, the governing body is prepared to provide Red Bull with a detailed explanation of the data and methodology behind its decision. However, some information relating to rival manufacturers cannot be disclosed because of confidentiality agreements.
It is also important to remember that the ADUO system evaluates only the internal combustion engine (ICE), not the complete hybrid power unit. That means Mercedes may still possess the strongest overall powertrain thanks to its electrical systems, while Red Bull appears to have the most efficient ICE. As a result, Red Bull is effectively prevented from making engine performance upgrades, despite team principal Laurent Mekies insisting: “We don’t see any single piece of data suggesting that we have an advantage over our friends at Mercedes.”
Why the situation could become even more frustrating
The most ironic twist may still be to come. The FIA is not expected to publish the official ADUO-1 findings until just before the Belgian Grand Prix, roughly one month from now. If Mercedes does not introduce improvements to its internal combustion engine before the Hungarian Grand Prix, Red Bull could remain classified as the benchmark ICE manufacturer when the second evaluation period concludes.
In other words, Red Bull could find itself trapped by the very system designed to help manufacturers recover lost performance. Until Mercedes—or potentially Ferrari, should its latest upgrades produce exceptionally large gains—improves its internal combustion engine enough to overtake Red Bull’s benchmark, the Milton Keynes-based team will remain unable to benefit from the FIA’s ADUO mechanism.
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