News Summary

The FIA confirmed on Tuesday that no Formula 1 power-unit manufacturer will receive additional engine homologation upgrades following the third and final review of the 2026 Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system. Although the governing body identified changes in the relative performance gaps between manufacturers, none resulted in new concessions.

The decision completes the first season of the mechanism, introduced to help manufacturers whose internal combustion engines fall significantly behind the championship’s leading benchmark.

The FIA communicated the results to all manufacturers following an assessment covering races 12 to 18 of the championship.

The governing body did not disclose the precise performance differences between engines, citing the confidentiality of manufacturers’ technical information.

motor Honda F1 2026
Honda engine (Photo: Honda)

Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi and Honda retain earlier allowances

The final review leaves unchanged the additional homologation opportunities granted during the first assessment period.

Mercedes was originally placed between 2% and 4% behind the leading internal combustion engine, qualifying for one additional homologation in 2026 and another in 2027.

Ferrari, Audi and Honda were each assessed as more than 4% behind the benchmark, qualifying for two additional homologations in each season.

These allowances also include corresponding increases in permitted dynamometer testing and adjustments to the power-unit cost cap.

Manufacturer2026 additional homologations2027 additional homologations
Mercedes11
Ferrari22
Audi22
Honda22
Red Bull Ford00

The figures represent the additional opportunities awarded through the 2026 ADUO assessments, not confirmation that every manufacturer has already introduced those upgrades.

No additional homologations were granted during the second review, completed after the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The third assessment has now produced the same outcome, despite changes in the relative performance gaps between manufacturers.

Why Red Bull Ford receives no additional upgrades

The ADUO system assesses the performance of the internal combustion engine rather than the overall competitiveness of the car or the complete hybrid power unit.

Manufacturers must fall at least 2% below the leading engine’s performance index to qualify for additional development opportunities.

Those between 2% and 4% behind receive one additional homologation in the current season and another in the following season. Manufacturers at least 4% behind can receive two in each season.

Red Bull Ford did not qualify for additional homologations under the assessments published in 2026.

The distinction is important because the results do not establish which manufacturer has the strongest complete power unit, including electrical components.

The FIA has not disclosed the detailed performance measurements used in its final review, making it impossible to determine from Tuesday’s announcement precisely how much the gaps between manufacturers have changed.

FIA considers changes to engine assessment system

FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis defended the methodology used during the first year of ADUO.

“The FIA has undertaken extensive analysis as part of the review of ADUO this year. Based on the quality of the data and the robustness of the assessment process, we are confident in our findings and the conclusions reached,” Tombazis said.

He also acknowledged that the mechanism could be improved as manufacturers gain experience with the system.

The FIA has been discussing potential refinements with power-unit suppliers and Formula 1 teams to ensure that the process remains effective in future seasons.

Those discussions are significant because ADUO attempts to balance two competing objectives: protecting manufacturers’ technical freedom while preventing substantial performance disadvantages from becoming entrenched.

The system provides additional development opportunities to eligible manufacturers, but it does not guarantee that those upgrades will eliminate their deficits.

What happens to F1 engine development in 2027?

The next ADUO review will take place during the opening six races of the 2027 Formula 1 season, from Bahrain to Miami.

Manufacturers will therefore begin the new campaign with the development opportunities already granted under the 2026 assessments.

For Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi and Honda, those concessions could provide additional flexibility as they prepare their next-generation power units.

Red Bull Ford, meanwhile, will continue without any extra homologations awarded under the 2026 ADUO process.

The FIA’s final assessment also arrives as teams prepare for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where straight-line performance, energy deployment and power-unit efficiency are expected to play important roles.

GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the 2026 Formula 1 season and the technical developments shaping 2027 in its Formula 1 coverage.

FAQ

What did the FIA decide in its final 2026 ADUO review?

The FIA decided that no manufacturer would receive additional homologation upgrades following the third assessment period, despite changes in relative engine performance.

Which F1 engine manufacturers have additional upgrades for 2027?

Mercedes has one additional homologation for 2027, while Ferrari, Audi and Honda have two each, based on allowances granted during the first 2026 review.

What is ADUO in Formula 1?

ADUO stands for Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities. It allows manufacturers whose internal combustion engines fall sufficiently behind the leading benchmark to receive additional development, testing and financial allowances.

Tags: FIA, F1 engines, Mercedes, Ferrari

Slug: fia-confirms-no-extra-f1-engine-upgrades-final-2026-aduo-review

Meta description: FIA confirms no new F1 engine upgrades after its final 2026 ADUO review, with Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi and Honda retaining their 2027 allowances.

Publication: Tuesday, November 10, 2026 — 08:45 BRT / 11:45 GMT.