Audi chief Mattia Binotto says Mercedes exploited F1 ADUO engine concessions

Audi team principal Mattia Binotto has publicly accused Mercedes of deliberately positioning its power unit to qualify for the FIA’s ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) concessions, which grant extra upgrades to manufacturers whose engines lag behind the benchmark. Binotto said, "Everyone knew Red Bull had a strong engine, but Mercedes’s power unit is by no means inferior," suggesting Mercedes may have muted performance to secure the advantage.

The ADUO scheme was introduced to narrow the gap to the dominant Red Bull‑Ford unit, allowing teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda and Audi limited development steps. Binotto noted that Audi has already used its first ADUO upgrade at the Spanish Grand Prix, focusing on a revised turbocharger, while its next major upgrade may not appear until 2027. He also criticised the concession system itself, calling for upgrades to be awarded based on a ranking system similar to chassis development.

Other manufacturers, including Honda and Aston Martin, were reported to be adopting cautious upgrade strategies, underscoring the broader debate over the fairness and future of the ADUO rules within Formula 1.