Red Bull-Ford retains F1 power unit benchmark in second ADUO evaluation

Red Bull-Ford has retained its status as Formula 1's power unit benchmark after the FIA's second Additional Upgrades and Opportunities (ADUO) assessment confirmed the new manufacturer still leads the engine field. The evaluation spans the opening 14 rounds of the 2026 season, from Australia to Hungary, and again places Red Bull-Ford's internal combustion engine at the top of the power table.

Why it matters:

This is an early surprise in F1's new power unit era. Red Bull-Ford, in its first season as a works engine manufacturer, is outrunning established rivals with far more experience. Because ADUO exists to close performance gaps, the latest findings mean no extra development help is heading to the chasing pack.

The details:

• Mercedes remains the closest challenger, estimated to be 2-4% behind in power.
• Audi, Ferrari and Honda are more than 4% adrift, though Honda's revised PU introduced at Zandvoort came too late for this assessment.
• After the first-quarter report, Mercedes received one additional homologation opportunity for 2026-27; Audi, Ferrari and Honda each got two.
• Concessions include extra cost-cap allowances and additional dynamometer testing.
• The second-period update triggered no further homologation opportunities.

What's next:

FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis said the analysis is "incredibly robust," while acknowledging ADUO may evolve. Honda's delayed update could still shake up the order, but for now Red Bull-Ford's advantage remains the defining theme of 2026.