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A ‘visibly annoyed’ Laurent Mekies has outlined how Red Bull are hoping to overturn the FIA’s ruling on which engine manufacturers will receive Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) at this weekend’s Barcelona Grand Prix.
The FIA notified each constructor on the grid at last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix regarding their findings on each 2026 power unit over the first six rounds of the season.
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Their findings put Red Bull’s maiden F1 power unit on a pedestal as the best engine on the grid. Quite the achievement for the Milton Keynes-based brand, but it is actually more of a curse than a blessing.
It means that Red Bull will not be allowed any ADUO to aid their bridging of the gap to Mercedes, while the Silver Arrows will be allowed one upgrade that could see them further extend their dominance over the rest of the grid.
It was later reported that Red Bull were challenging the FIA’s verdict, with team principal Laurent Mekies now shedding more light on the appeal in an interview with Sky Germany at the Barcelona Grand Prix.
- READ MORE: FIA ruling confirms Toto Wolff’s winter testing theory about Red Bull was right all along
Laurent Mekies addresses FIA’s findings regarding ADUO
During the first day of Free Practice at Montmelo, the Frenchman was reportedly ‘visibly annoyed’ as he told the German broadcasters, via Auto Motor und Sport, “We received preliminary data from the FIA. And of course, we were very surprised by it, like many others.”
What are your thoughts on Mercedes being granted an engine upgrade through ADUO despite their 2026 dominance?
He then detailed how the result is apparently not final just yet, revealing how the Austrian constructor continues to be in contact with the sport’s governing body over a potential reassessment of the results with new data.
“We are in contact with the FIA and are putting all the data on the table so that they ultimately have the complete and accurate picture,” he added.
“At this point, I don’t want to comment further on the matter until they have completed their analysis. The job is difficult enough for them.”
Red Bull’s biggest gripe is the fact that the FIA are overlooking the role that the battery plays in the performance of a power unit. While their Internal Combustion Unit (ICE) looks to be the strongest, Red Bull have run into issues on the electrical side of things.
- READ MORE: Red Bull drivers’ Monaco GP radio messages suggest FIA’s best engine decision is a mistake
Audi chief Mattia Binotto offers FIA a new way to assess engine prowess
Despite Audi joining Ferrari and Honda as the three engine manufacturers who are now allowed to make two engine upgrades over the next 12 months, team chief Mattia Binotto opened a discussion on a better way for the FIA to assess who deserves a helping hand.
“Perhaps we should do something similar to the chassis, which is based on last season’s specifications,” he said via the German outlet, referencing how teams at the top of the constructors’ standings are given less time in the wind tunnel for the following season.
“That would be the simplest solution,” he continued. “The best teams wouldn’t have an advantage, and the slowest teams and manufacturers would have more options. So, should we establish a different kind of ranking system? Maybe!”
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