FIA confirms no further engine upgrades for F1 teams after final 2026 ADUO review

The FIA has confirmed that no further engine upgrade opportunities will be granted to Formula 1 manufacturers following the final ADUO review period of the 2026 season.

The Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system was introduced alongside the new power unit regulations to help manufacturers whose internal combustion engines are falling behind the benchmark. It allows eligible competitors to introduce additional upgrades and benefit from increased development allowances.

The latest assessment covered races 12 to 18, from the Dutch Grand Prix through to the United States Grand Prix. Although the performance gaps between manufacturers changed during that period, they did not reach the thresholds required for further upgrades.

Red Bull was identified as having the strongest internal combustion engine during the opening review period. Mercedes was found to be between two and four per cent behind, earning one additional upgrade opportunity for both 2026 and 2027. Ferrari, Audi and Honda were more than four per cent behind and received two additional opportunities for each season.

The second review period, which concluded after the Hungarian Grand Prix, also resulted in no new upgrade allowances.

FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis said the governing body was confident in the assessment process but acknowledged that the ADUO system could be refined in the future to ensure it remains effective.

The next review period will begin in 2027 and cover the opening six races of the season, from Bahrain to Miami. Manufacturers will therefore have to wait until the new campaign to find out whether further development opportunities will become available.