Despite leading in internal combustion engine power, Red Bull will not receive additional development allowances for 2026 and 2027.
Red Bull has once again been identified as the manufacturer with Formula 1's most powerful internal combustion engine (ICE) in the latest rankings issued by motorsport's governing body, the FIA. This finding, which matches results from three months prior, comes as a significant setback for the team, as it eliminates their eligibility for engine upgrades.
The ruling means that rival manufacturers, including Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi, and Honda, will be granted opportunities to improve their power units, while Red Bull will not. These allowances are part of a new regulatory mechanism designed to help teams with a performance deficit catch up ahead of the 2026 season's new hybrid engine rules.
The FIA's unique system, known as the additional development and upgrade opportunities (Aduo) program, was established this year with the agreement of all power-unit manufacturers. Its findings for the second period were released on Wednesday, following Sunday's Dutch Grand Prix, the twelfth race of the current season, according to reporting by BBC Sport - Formula 1.
Understanding F1's Engine Power Rankings
The FIA's Aduo program specifically measures the power output of the internal combustion engine component of Formula 1 power units. Crucially, it does not factor in the electrical elements, which account for nearly 50% of a power unit's total performance. This narrow focus is a point of contention within the paddock, especially since Mercedes is widely considered to possess the best overall engine performance in the sport.
This ranking process is conducted every six races, and the recent assessment marks the second set of findings under the new system. The results directly impact which manufacturers are permitted to make further developments to their engines.
Unequal Opportunities for F1 Engine Development
According to a statement from the FIA, Mercedes' internal combustion engine was determined to be "in the 2-4% window" behind the leading ICE. This assessment grants Mercedes one additional upgrade in both the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Other manufacturers, including Audi, Ferrari, and Honda, were found to be "above 4%" behind the best ICE. Consequently, these teams, with the exception of Red Bull, will receive two additional upgrade opportunities for their engines. Red Bull, deemed to have the most powerful ICE, receives none, despite having established a new engine design and manufacturing facility specifically for the new regulations.
Performance Paradox: Dominant Engine, Zero Wins
Despite the FIA's confirmation of Red Bull's ICE superiority, the team has yet to secure a victory in any of the 12 races held this season. This stark contrast highlights the significant role that the electrical components of the power unit, which are not measured by the Aduo program, play in overall performance.
In contrast, Mercedes has enjoyed considerable success this season, winning eight of the 12 races. Their strong performance on track, despite ranking behind Red Bull in ICE power, underscores the complexity of modern Formula 1 power units and the critical integration of both combustion and electrical systems.
FIA Confident in Engine Analysis Robustness
Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA's director of single-seaters, expressed strong confidence in the accuracy of the findings. He stated, "The FIA has undertaken thorough and exhaustive analysis as part of our Aduo review process. With the release of the findings of period two, we are confident that, based on the quality of the data, its analysis is incredibly robust, giving us a high level of confidence in our findings."
Tombazis also emphasized the importance of respecting team confidentiality and intellectual property in disseminating detailed results. He acknowledged that "This is the first year of Aduo so naturally there are areas which we may evolve over time, in discussion with all the power unit manufacturers," suggesting potential refinements to the system in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FIA's Aduo program?
The FIA's additional development and upgrade opportunities (Aduo) program is a new system introduced in 2026 to measure the power of Formula 1's internal combustion engines. Its primary goal is to allow manufacturers with a power deficit to catch up before the new hybrid engine regulations take full effect.
Why is Red Bull unable to upgrade its F1 engine?
Red Bull is unable to upgrade its engine because the FIA's Aduo program has determined it possesses the most powerful internal combustion engine (ICE) in Formula 1. The program is designed to offer upgrade allowances only to manufacturers identified with an ICE power deficit.
Does Red Bull have the most powerful overall F1 engine?
The FIA's Aduo program measures only the internal combustion engine (ICE) power, not the electrical components, which constitute nearly 50% of the total power unit performance. While Red Bull leads in ICE power, Mercedes is widely believed to have the best overall engine performance when all elements are considered.
Which F1 manufacturers will receive engine upgrades for 2026 and 2027?
Mercedes, determined to be 2-4% behind the best ICE, will receive one additional upgrade in 2026 and one in 2027. Audi, Ferrari, and Honda, all found to be more than 4% behind, will each receive two upgrades, while Red Bull will receive none.