FIA's ADUO: The new power unit lifeline for struggling F1 manufacturers

The FIA has introduced a new 'ADUO' system for the 2026 power unit regulations, designed as a safety net to help engine manufacturers who fall significantly behind the performance benchmark catch up through extra development opportunities.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season introduces a radically new power unit formula, increasing the risk of a major performance split between manufacturers like Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, Honda, and newcomer Audi. ADUO acts as a regulatory "rubberbanding" mechanism, aiming to prevent any supplier from being locked into a multi-year competitive deficit, which is crucial for maintaining closer competition and team stability across the grid.

The Details:

• The Core Concept: ADUO stands for Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities. It is a performance-based system that grants struggling Power Unit Manufacturers (PUMs) extra chances to homologate upgraded components outside the normal, very restrictive development windows.
• Performance Measurement: The FIA will calculate an "ICE Performance Index" for each manufacturer's internal combustion engine using data from all its customer teams. On-track results do not factor into this index, preventing teams from hiding a superior engine's performance.
• Eligibility Thresholds:
  • A PUM whose engine is 2-4% slower than the benchmark becomes eligible for 1 extra upgrade in the current season (N) and 1 in the next (N+1).
  • A PUM whose engine is more than 4% slower becomes eligible for 2 extra upgrades in season N and 2 in season N+1.
• Implementation Windows: The season is split into four assessment periods. If an ADUO opportunity is granted after an assessment, the upgrades can be introduced at the first race of the next period, not immediately.
• Component Scope: Nearly all power unit components are upgradeable under ADUO, except for specific items like fuel injectors, pumps, and various sensors.

What's next:

With engine designs now homologated, the focus shifts to the track, where the real performance gaps will emerge. The first ADUO assessment will occur after the initial six-race block of the 2026 season, with the potential for the first corrective upgrades to arrive by the 13th race. This system represents a significant shift from the past, offering a structured path to recovery for manufacturers who miss the mark with their initial 2026 designs, potentially saving seasons for teams and preserving engine supply competition.