Hamilton Questions FIA Power Unit Rankings Amid Mercedes Straight-Line Dominance

Lewis Hamilton has openly questioned the FIA's power unit classifications after experiencing Mercedes' straight-line speed firsthand during the Austrian Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver insists Mercedes HPP currently holds the best engine in Formula 1, despite the governing body reportedly rating it behind Red Bull Powertrains in ICE performance.

Why it matters:

The disconnect between official power unit metrics and real-world performance is stirring tension across the paddock. Hamilton joined Ferrari to escape Mercedes' shadow, yet his admission that his former team holds a decisive power advantage underscores the mountain Maranello still must climb. Because ADUO status influences development resources and testing allocations, a disputed classification could distort the competitive balance for the rest of the season.

The details:

• During the Austrian GP, Hamilton could latch onto George Russell's lead Mercedes early in the stint but steadily lost ground on the straights, eventually settling for fifth on a three-stop strategy.
• Ferrari introduced an upgraded power unit at the Red Bull Ring, yet the SF-26 continued to suffer from a top-end deficit against Mercedes-powered cars.
• ADUO confusion: The FIA is understood to have awarded Mercedes HPP ADUO status based purely on ICE evaluation, placing it behind Red Bull Powertrains despite Mercedes winning seven of eight grands prix and all three Sprints this season.
• Hamilton voiced his disbelief to media: "For some reason at the end of the straight, ours just tails off, and the Mercedes just keeps going." He wondered aloud whether the advantage stems from the battery deployment, ICE design, or a smaller turbo.

What's next:

The FIA has yet to officially communicate the ADUO results, leaving teams operating in a fog of uncertainty. Ferrari must now decide whether to commit further resources to power unit upgrades or focus on aerodynamic efficiency to offset its straight-line weakness. If Mercedes continues to dominate race weekends while technically holding disadvantaged status, pressure will mount on the governing body to justify—or revise—its evaluation criteria.