Sports · Motorsport · 1 hr ago
FIA grants no extra F1 engine upgrades after third evaluation
The FIA has granted no extra engine upgrades to Formula 1 manufacturers after its third evaluation under the sport’s 2026 rules.
Those rules let the FIA decide how often manufacturers can upgrade their internal combustion engines.
The first evaluation was the only one to grant extra opportunities: Red Bull-Ford led, while Audi, Ferrari and Honda received two extra chances and Mercedes received one.
No manufacturer gained upgrades in the second or third evaluations, with the latest period ending after the United States Grand Prix.
The system is intended to manage differences in engine performance, and the FIA says it is confident in its assessment process.
The FIA is working with teams and manufacturers on possible changes to the system for future seasons.
The FIA’s third and final 2026 review under its ADUO system granted no additional engine upgrades to any Formula 1 power unit manufacturer.
The review found no change in the manufacturers’ positions compared with the previous evaluation.
Red Bull remains the leading manufacturer and the only one unable to upgrade its engine through the catch-up system.
Mercedes retains one additional upgrade for 2026 and one for 2027, while Audi, Ferrari and Honda retain two for each year.
The FIA says it is considering refinements to the system for future seasons.
- Who
- The FIA assessed Formula 1 power unit manufacturers.
- What
- It granted no additional upgrades after its third and final 2026 ADUO evaluation.
- When
- The results were announced on November 10, 2026; the analysis covered the Dutch Grand Prix through the United States Grand Prix.
- Where
- Formula 1; the evaluation covered races from the Dutch Grand Prix to the United States Grand Prix.
- Why
- The performance gaps changed but did not trigger additional engine homologations under the ADUO rules.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The FIA assessed performance from the start of the season to the Canadian Grand Prix and awarded additional upgrade opportunities to manufacturers behind Red Bull.
The FIA made no change to the upgrade allowances.
The analysis covered the Dutch Grand Prix through the United States Grand Prix and resulted in no additional homologations.
The FIA’s final 2026 ADUO results were reported.
- Red Bull Ford Powertrains
- Identified as the leading engine manufacturer
- Mercedes
- One additional upgrade for 2026 and one for 2027
- Audi, Ferrari and Honda
- Two additional upgrades for 2026 and two for 2027
- Third analysis period
- Dutch Grand Prix through United States Grand Prix
- Next ADUO period
- 2027, from the Bahrain Grand Prix to the Miami Grand Prix
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What people are saying
The FIA has undertaken extensive analysis as part of the review of ADUO this year. Based on the quality of the data and the robustness of the assessment process, we are confident in our findings and the conclusions reached.
The first year of implementation has also reinforced our belief that the ADUO concept is the right one for Formula 1.
However, it is important that the system continues to evolve to ensure it remains efficient, relevant and fit for purpose.