Is the ADUO the right approach for Formula 1 in 2026?

The ADUO was introduced along with the already controversial 2026 Formula 1 regulations to avoid the recurrence of what happened in 2014, the start of the first V6 turbo-hybrid era, when Mercedes showed up with the best package, with rivals spending the rest of that era trying to catch up.

The ADUO basically measures the performance of the internal combustion engine (ICE) of each F1 power unit manufacturer. After singling out the benchmark engine, rivals are granted an upgrade for every 2% of deficit.

The first evaluation cycle in 2026 was done after Canada (it should have been after Monaco had it not been for the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi races), and Red Bull emerged with the best ICE, with Mercedes 2% behind them, while Ferrari, Audi, and Honda were 4% behind each.

That meant Mercedes was granted one upgrade while the others got two. They also get the same in 2027.

Red Bull were not happy with that, with Max Verstappen admitting he was surprised about the evaluation while his boss, Laurent Mekies, said: "We are completely with the fact that the rule states that you should only try to estimate the pecking order of the ICE (internal combustion engine) power.

"We are completely okay with that; we have all agreed to that, and we don't think that is the issue.

"Where we certainly would like to have a deeper conversation is because we do not see one single data sample that indicates that we would have an advantage over our friends at Mercedes.

"It's actually a very difficult measurement to make," the Frenchman pointed out. "We have one sensor in the car that tries to measure that, that has a number of limitations.

"You have many other information to try and estimate engine power across the pit lane," Mekies concluded.

Former F1 driver turned pundit Martin Brundle is skeptical; he said: "I don't like the whole thing, to be honest. Formula 1 is about excellence, not the lowest common denominator.

"Of course, you've got to give a leg up to Honda or somebody else who is really struggling; maybe Audi could do with it as well.

"But at the end of the day, there are opportunities to improve your power units going along, and I just think it should just be about excellence," the Briton concluded.

The 1997 F1 Champion, Jacques Villeneuve, echoed Brundle's sentiments regarding the ADUO and said: "It's confusing.

"Ultimately it's not that Mercedes gets help—because the other teams get two helps—it's that Red Bull gets kind of a downer there.

"I don't like this rule where one team is allowed to improve their car but one team is not. You shouldn't have that in F1.

"You have a set of rules, and if you did a good job, then good for you!" the Canadian concluded.

Red Bull Racing has challenged the FIA's evaluation, and it seems the governing body is currently reviewing its findings with the official outcome yet to be revealed.

The next two rounds of ADUO will happen after the Hungarian and Mexico City Grands Prix. (Quotes from Sky Sports F1)