Red Bull and Ford leaning toward drastic decision about their first F1 engine
17:55, 21 Apr
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Ludo van Denderen is a motorsport journalist at GPblog, specializing in Formula 1 and international racing series. With decades of experience in sports journalism and a long-standing presence in the paddock, he delivers reliable analysis, exclusive interviews, and in-depth coverage of the global motorsport world.
Red Bull and engine partner Ford are seriously considering not implementing any performance upgrades to the power unit, even if permitted under ADUO, GPblog understands. Max Verstappen’s team believes the priority lies elsewhere in the coming period.
On Monday, GPblog reported that it appears ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) is being brought forward. Under this regulation, manufacturers that are more than two percent behind the benchmark F1 engine are allowed to add performance to their power unit.
It is very much in question whether Red Bull Ford is more than two percent behind the Mercedes engine. If it turns out that this is indeed the case, there is a good chance that the partners will still decide not to make use of the opportunity to introduce an improved power unit in the short term.
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'Focus at Red Bull on the chassis'
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Red Bull Racing in action - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
Although there are certainly areas for improvement for the power unit, within Red Bull Racing there isn’t the sense that the engine is the biggest shortcoming.
The Austrians would much rather first focus on adjusting and improving the chassis, GPblog hears.
That does not rule out Red Bull and Ford implementing an update at some point during the season, provided, of course, that they can make use of ADUO.
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While power unit data is not public, the current expectation is that only Honda are above the two percent mark. It’s no secret that the Japanese manufacturer is currently working hard on an improved power unit. Once allowed, it should be introduced as quickly as possible.
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ADUO schedule may be brought forward
GPblog understands that F1 engine manufacturers with a large deficit to Mercedes may be allowed to introduce updates after just five Grands Prix, instead of the originally planned six race weekends after the Monaco GP.
The final decision on this will be revealed next week, as GPblog hears in the paddock that the first ADUO window could be set for after the Canadian Grand Prix (and thus before Monaco).
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