FIA granted no new homologations in third Formula 1 ADUO engine review
NXTbets Pro | Published On: November 10, 2026
FIA review
The FIA made no new homologations in its third ADUO analysis and left the engine pecking order unchanged. Red Bull remained the benchmark in the review, and it stayed the only manufacturer ineligible for catch-up upgrades. The evaluation covered Formula 1 engine performance from rounds 12 through 18, stretching from the Dutch Grand Prix to the U.S. Grand Prix. The governing body said the latest performance swings did change during that stretch, but the movement was not enough to trigger more homologation help under the rules.
That result gave the series another clear snapshot of the current engine balance. The FIA’s own language pointed to a system that tracks change over time, but only rewards it when the gap meets the threshold built into the regulations. The review therefore preserved the existing structure, with the leading manufacturer still setting the pace and the rest of the field spread behind it.
Engine gaps
Mercedes landed in the 2-4% gap behind Red Bull and picked up one additional homologation for 2026 and another for 2027. Audi, Ferrari and Honda were all judged to be more than 4% off Red Bull, and each received two additional homologations for 2027. Mercedes, Audi, Ferrari and Honda also kept the allowances they earned in the first ADUO review, so the latest assessment did not take anything away from the earlier gains. The FIA drew the line at that point because the newest performance changes did not justify more benefits.
The first ADUO review remains the only one this season to hand out additional development chances. That detail matters because it shows the FIA has already used the system once to respond to engine performance gaps, but has not seen a second case that meets the same standard. The result kept the earlier distribution of allowances in place and left the manufacturers with the same basic path they had before the latest assessment.
Tombazis outlook
FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis said the first year of ADUO has reinforced confidence in the concept. He also said the system may be refined for 2027 because new fuel-flow rates are being introduced. That keeps the review process moving, but it also shows the FIA sees room to adjust the model as Formula 1’s engine rules evolve.
The next ADUO review is set for 2027 after the opening six races, from Bahrain through Miami. That will give the FIA another early look at how the field stacks up once the new cycle is underway. That keeps the current framework steady and puts the next review in line to test it again when the season opens.
