Red Bull disputes FIA ADUO engine power benchmark for 2026 F1 season

The FIA’s ADUO assessment for the 2026 Formula 1 engine formula identified Red Bull Powertrains as the benchmark for pure combustion‑engine power, ahead of Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi and Honda. Red Bull team manager Laurent Mekies said the Austrian squad will seek a review of the calculations, warning that the outcome could affect the team’s development opportunities for 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Audi director Mattia Binotto explained that ADUO measures only the thermal power of the engine, not the overall performance of the power‑unit, and that Audi will focus its development on this metric in the medium‑term. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff defended the FIA’s methodology, noting that torque‑sensor data are objective and free of political influence. FIA officials said the ADUO system is intended to prevent manufacturers from falling into a permanent disadvantage under the new regulations.

Despite being named the reference for engine power, Red Bull is the only manufacturer that will not receive ADUO‑related development concessions, a point the team is actively contesting with the governing body.