Red Bull open to discussing ADUO changes after FIA's Honda aid plan

Red Bull has signaled it is open to discussing changes to the ADUO regulation after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem proposed additional concessions to help Honda — and, in turn, keep Fernando Alonso in F1. Team boss Laurent Mekies says the squad is willing to "sit down" and address the system's shortfalls.

Why it matters:

The ADUO mechanism was created to let underperforming power unit manufacturers catch up to the benchmark — currently Red Bull's in-house RBPT engine. If the FIA grants Honda extra upgrades beyond its allotted two per year, it could reshape the competitive order and directly influence whether Alonso extends his career beyond 2026.

The details:

• Honda has struggled in the first year of the new power unit generation, while Alonso has openly questioned the championship's direction as he weighs retirement after his 23rd season.
• Ben Sulayem said at a business forum in Madrid ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix that it was "not acceptable" for Alonso to drive such uncompetitive machinery, and that a plan is in place to aid Honda: "We did something earlier in May, legally, for the team, towards the engine, to go and improve."
• Under current rules, Honda is entitled to the same two ADUO upgrades in 2026 and 2027 as Audi and Ferrari — both of which have already used their first.
• Mekies noted that the teams previously agreed to change ADUO rules earlier this year to help those falling behind: "All the teams voted in favour of that for the benefit of the sport."
• He added: "If there is a situation that needs fixing or needs to be supported, we normally find solutions... we will at some stage sit down and discuss the future of the ADUO regulations."
• Red Bull, meanwhile, was surprised its own power unit was judged the benchmark under the system.

What's next:

The FIA president has also directly engaged Alonso, asking him what he needs to improve results. "Suddenly, you see everything change," Ben Sulayem said. With Alonso's decision looming, any further concessions to Honda could accelerate the regulatory review — and potentially keep the two-time champion on the grid for another season.