The director of Audi in Formula 1, Mattia Binotto, has requested the FIA to reconsider the current system of upgrades for power units (ADUO), in response to the inequities that have arisen with Mercedes’ recent dominance.
The Mercedes engine has solidified its position as the most powerful of 2026, contributing to the team winning seven of the first nine races. However, as only the performance of the V6 engines is being measured to determine which manufacturers can make upgrades, Mercedes has been granted permission to continue improving its engines.
In contrast, the V6 unit of Red Bull Ford has been considered by the FIA as the benchmark, leaving it without the possibility of making further upgrades beyond the restricted homologation schedule. Red Bull has expressed its frustration with this decision, but the FIA’s additional reviews have not changed its initial results.
Binotto has pointed out that other manufacturers, including Mercedes and Ferrari, might be limiting the potential of their V6 engines for reliability reasons or to take advantage of the ADUO system. He has stated that the upgrade system needs a radical change.
According to Binotto, ‘the problem lies in the measurement that has been made exclusively of on-track performance. A car that has an overall advantage can afford not to fully exploit the potential of its power unit. It is possible, for example, that Mercedes has a more powerful engine, but does not need to push it to the limit because it already has an advantage thanks to its car.’
The situation has arisen in part due to the introduction of the ADUO, which was created with the intention of helping manufacturers that are at a disadvantage. Binotto has expressed that this system, while having certain positive functions, has drifted away from its original goal of balancing the championship, allowing those who were weaker to have more chances to recover.
Audi, which has recently made its F1 debut, is one of the reasons why the ADUO exists, as it sought to avoid underperformance of its first power unit. Although its initial performance has not been entirely satisfactory, another manufacturer like Honda urgently needs the recovery mechanism designed by the FIA.
Finally, Binotto added that, while not questioning the work done by the FIA, it is crucial to remember the original goal of the ADUO as a safety net to help manufacturers that were lagging behind at the start of the regulatory cycle.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
