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It has been claimed that Red Bull are ‘baffled’ and ‘annoyed’ by what the FIA have said about Mercedes’ 2026 car.
So far in the 2026 Formula 1 season, Mercedes have been the dominant force, winning seven out of eight races, with only Lewis Hamilton managing to stop the Silver Arrows’ winning streak in Barcelona.
Meanwhile, the likes of Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull have been playing catch-up, with the hope that ADUO would give them the chance to close the gap to Mercedes.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Mercedes have been given ADUO after it was deemed that Red Bull have developed the best engine on the grid.
What are your thoughts on Mercedes being granted an engine upgrade through ADUO despite their 2026 dominance?
Karun Chandhok says Red Bull are ‘annoyed’ about Mercedes being handed ADUO
With Red Bull set to challenge the FIA’s verdict, ex-F1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok has revealed what people at the team have been saying about the ADUO controversy.
The 42-year-old, who raced for HRT and Team Lotus in F1, claimed that everyone is ‘baffled’ by how Mercedes have managed to get themselves extra upgrade opportunities.
He added that Red Bull are not unhappy about not being given ADUO tokens, as that is good endorsement for their power unit, but they are ‘annoyed’ at Mercedes’ ability to ‘slip under the radar’.
Chandhok said on the Sky Sports F1 Show: “I think the question is more around not whether Red Bull should have been given tokens or an opportunity but how Mercedes have managed to manoeuvre themselves into a position to get upgrades.
“That is what has baffled everybody. The people at Red Bull Powertrains are saying, ‘Hey, listen, we’re not upset we haven’t been given tokens because you know what, this has given us an A* endorsement, our first term report says A*, good job, you are top of the pile’.
“What they are annoyed about is how Mercedes have managed to slip under the radar despite winning all but one Grand Prix and get themselves an opportunity for an upgrade. That’s what they are annoyed about.”
Let’s hear your podium predictions for the British Grand Prix 🍾
READ MORE: Guenther Steiner believes he’s seen a clear sign Mercedes are gaming the FIA after Red Bull appeal
It has been reported that Red Bull have questioned the FIA’s ruling, with the governing body set to review the data without changing the methods used to reach the original verdict.
Speaking recently on the matter, Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies admitted that there will be ‘large implications’ for the team if the decision is not changed.
The Frenchman revealed that Red Bull have been left ‘very surprised’ by the decision and have held ‘very constructive’ talks with the FIA.
As per Crash, Mekies said: “We have received preliminary information from the FIA, and yes, we were – and we are – very surprised about this preliminary information. We have been having very constructive discussions with the FIA ever since.
“They are doing a review, we are exchanging as much data as possible to make sure they get the right picture and the full picture, because, as you said, not only do we feel differently about this outcome, but also it has large implications for this year and for next year.
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