Red Bull already know FIA’s answer to any ADUO appeal after shock F1 engine verdict

Follow us on Google Discover

Red Bull are proud but surprised that the FIA has ruled that they have the best engine under F1’s 2026 regulations, but they are unlikely to appeal the ruling to get upgrades.

It emerged following the Monaco Grand Prix last weekend that the FIA has decided that Red Bull designed the most powerful internal combustion engine (ICE) for the 2026 season, even though this term marked their debut as a power unit constructor after splitting from Honda.

The FIA’s ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) system only takes the ICE into account, rather than the battery elements of the engine formula. ADUO was created as a way for engine constructors with a clear deficit to the benchmark PU to reduce any gap.

Mercedes have received one upgrade token through ADUO as the FIA decided that their ICE is at least 2% worse than Red Bull Powertrains’ debut engine. Ferrari, Honda and Audi will all get two upgrade tokens to be used during 2026 as their engines are each at least 4% worse.

Which F1 team will catch Mercedes FIRST?

Let us know your reasoning in the comments!

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Red Bull know the FIA will not allow a formal challenge of its F1 2026 ADUO ruling

The FIA ruling that Red Bull Powertrains’ ICE is the strongest engine on the 2026 F1 grid has surprised many in the paddock, and also at Red Bull. It has even been claimed that Red Bull could challenge the FIA’s ADUO system as it currently fully overlooks the role of the battery.

READ MORE: What is ADUO? F1’s 2026 engine upgrade token system explained

But GPblog reports that Red Bull will not launch a full-scale appeal of the FIA’s decision, and that the Milton Keynes outfit will accept the governing body’s ruling that they have the best ICE. The FIA’s decision left a ‘bitter aftertaste’ at Red Bull, but they see no value in an appeal.

Red Bull found the FIA’s ADUO ruling to be an ‘unpleasant surprise’, given the dominance of Mercedes so far this year and that they have scored only 72 points to the Silver Arrows’ 244. But any appeal is ‘unlikely to achieve anything’, as the FIA does not allow a formal challenge.

So, Red Bull intend to accept the FIA’s decision and take great pride in building the best ICE in Formula 1 at their first attempt. Red Bull can also now start working on their 2027 engine without any distractions, after the FIA confirmed changes to next year’s power unit formula.

Red Bull can focus on their 2027 F1 engine after the FIA announced changes to the rules

It is now confirmed that F1 will change the engine regulations again in 2027, and further in 2028, to make the ICE more important to the overall power split once more. From 2027, F1 engines will move to a 58-42 power split favouring the ICE and then a 60-40 share in 2028.

Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi and Honda will thus now be designing upgrades for their 2026 ICEs knowing full well that any changes may prove to be worthless next year, while Red Bull can work solely on their 2027 power unit. But Red Bull will hope it does not hurt them this year.

Aston Martin want Honda to upgrade their 2026 engine in Belgium, before having a second upgraded power unit ready to debut later in the year. Similarly, Ferrari have already started designing upgrades for their engine, but will likely only introduce their updates in Belgium.