ADUO ahead of schedule for F1 engines: FIA and F1 teams to reach decision

This season in Formula 1, there is the so-called ADUO system (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities), which determines how much development scope engine suppliers get during the season. If a manufacturer is more than two percent behind the benchmark engine on the grid at an assessment point, they are permitted to implement updates.

Normally, the first evaluation takes place after six F1 races, but the FIA wanted to bring it forward to accommodate engine manufacturers, as was revealed a few weeks ago , after the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.

Initially, with those races included, the first assessment window for updates would have been after the Miami Grand Prix. But without the events in the Middle East, that would only be after the Monaco Grand Prix (early June).

To avoid waiting so long, F1 teams, the FIA and Formula 1 are discussing an earlier assessment point than after the Monaco race. GPblog hears in the paddock that the first ADUO window will be set for after the Canadian Grand Prix (and thus before Monaco).

For a long time, it was expected that a decision would be announced during Monday’s meeting between the F1 team bosses and the FIA. However, the motorsport federation’s statement did not mention ADUO at all.

GPblog understands that final clarity on the further implementation of ADUO will follow next week.

If it does indeed involve adjustments before the sixth Grand Prix, that could be a minor setback for Mercedes. After all, the Germans are keen to remain the strongest power unit on the grid.

On the other hand, it still has to be determined whether Ferrari, Red Bull and Audi are more than two percent down in performance. If not, they are not allowed to introduce any updates at all. That Honda will receive permission to modify the power unit does seem a near certainty at the moment.