Ferrari confident F1's new engine catch-up system is robust against manipulation

Ferrari's engine chief, Enrico Gualtieri, expresses confidence in the FIA's new system designed to prevent a runaway leader in F1's 2026 power unit era, dismissing concerns that rivals could easily exploit it for a strategic advantage. The mechanism, known as Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO), aims to level the playing field by granting struggling manufacturers extra development tokens, but its robustness against intentional early-season underperformance—"sandbagging"—has been a topic of paddock speculation.

Why it matters:

The introduction of ADUO represents a significant philosophical shift in F1's engine regulations, moving from a pure development freeze to a managed competitive balance. Its success or failure will directly impact whether the 2026 season—featuring new manufacturers like Audi and a radically different power unit formula—produces close racing or is dominated by a single supplier from the outset. Ferrari's public comfort with the system is a key early endorsement from a major player.

The details:

• Gualtieri, head of Ferrari's Power Unit department, stated the ADUO framework is "quite well prescribed" and "robust enough," suggesting the rules are written tightly to prevent gaming the system.
• The system is new for both the FIA and the five manufacturers (Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull Ford, Honda, Audi), requiring an adjustment period, but Ferrari is currently "comfortable with the process."
• The Fuel Factor: A parallel major change for 2026 is the mandatory use of 100% advanced sustainable fuels. Gualtieri clarified that the engine's fundamental fuel requirements haven't changed dramatically, as performance still depends on the molecular properties.
• The real challenge lies in the sustainable supply chain; fuels must now comply with strict sourcing and feedstock restrictions to meet sustainability criteria, adding a new layer of complexity for engineers and fuel suppliers beyond pure performance.

What's next:

All manufacturers will be closely monitored as they adapt to this new regulatory environment. The true test of the ADUO system's integrity will come during the 2026 season itself, when performance gaps become clear and the mechanism is activated for the first time. Ferrari's current stance suggests a belief that the FIA has learned from past regulatory loopholes, aiming to ensure the new era begins on as level a playing field as possible.