Audi Formula 1 boss Mattia Binotto has urged the FIA to rethink the sport’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities, or ADUO, scheme, warning that its current performance-based rules could be exploited by manufacturers that are already competitive. Binotto said the system relies too heavily on V6 or internal combustion engine performance, even though ADUO upgrades can apply to the full power unit, including hybrid components. He argued that a team with a stronger chassis or overall car could avoid showing the true potential of its engine and still gain extra development time, which runs counter to the scheme’s aim of helping manufacturers that are genuinely behind.
The concern has sharpened after Mercedes received an additional development allowance under the rules, even though its engine has been widely regarded as the strongest on the grid and the team has won seven of the first nine grands prix in 2026. Red Bull Ford Powertrains was treated as the benchmark and was denied extra upgrades beyond the standard homologation timetable, a ruling Red Bull challenged unsuccessfully. Rival manufacturers have also suspected that some teams may be withholding V6 performance to gain an advantage within the ADUO system.
Binotto said the FIA has done important work on the concept but needs to adjust the rules so they better support long-term convergence across the full regulatory cycle. The FIA said the teams agreed to the current process, which uses ICE-based evaluation windows to allocate development opportunities. Under the latest assessment, Mercedes received one upgrade, while Ferrari, Audi and Honda each received two for being about 4% behind Red Bull Ford.
More
