Red Bull left powerless after unexpected FIA ruling

The result of the FIA's ADUO evaluation means Max Verstappen's team is not allowed to make any engine upgrades for the time being, while Mercedes and other manufacturers are permitted to work on PU upgrades.

The FIA shared the results of the first evaluation with the F1 teams during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. That assessment determined which power unit manufacturer currently serves as the benchmark and which manufacturers qualify for so-called Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO). As previously agreed with the FIA, only the internal combustion engine (ICE) was taken into account, while the performance of the electrical components was excluded from the assessment.

Given Mercedes' dominant form as a team so far this season, few expected the German manufacturer not to be named the benchmark. Yet that is exactly what happened. Rather than Mercedes, Red Bull Ford was identified as the benchmark for internal combustion engine performance.

According to the evaluation, Mercedes is operating at a deficit of two percent, making it eligible for engine upgrades. Ferrari, Audi and Honda are all more than four percent behind and therefore qualify for additional upgrades.

Red Bull has declined to comment on the matter, but GPblog understands the outcome of the evaluation came as an unpleasant surprise to the manufacturer. While there is obvious pride within the Austrian team - which introduced its own power unit for the first time in 2026 and apparently produced the strongest combustion engine on the grid - the verdict also leaves a bitter aftertaste.

In terms of overall performance, Red Bull currently trails Mercedes, despite the fact that the German F1 team has dominated the season so far and as a manufacturer is now permitted to work on upgrades for its engine.

Any appeal, should Red Bull Ford choose to pursue one, appears unlikely to achieve anything. GPblog understands that the results - although Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has indicated they are not yet official - cannot be formally challenged.

Indeed, the FIA has not officially published the outcome yet, but significant changes are considered unlikely. Until the next evaluation takes place, Red Bull Ford will therefore have to watch as its rivals continue developing their engines while it remains unable to do the same.