Major setback looms for Red Bull and Verstappen after Mercedes' masterstroke

The FIA periodically compares the performance of the internal combustion engines across the Formula 1 grid. If the so-called Performance Index shows that a manufacturer is at least 2% behind the benchmark engine, it receives additional development opportunities and a higher cost cap.

The system is designed to prevent a single power unit supplier from dominating the sport for years, as Mercedes did during the previous decade.

During the first months of the season, allies and rivals alike came to the conclusion that Mercedes had the best power unit on the grid. Nevertheless, based on its data, the FIA identified Red Bull Ford as the benchmark. As a result, Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi and Honda would all be eligible for additional homologation updates, also depending on how far behind Red Bull Ford they were.

The outcome of the first evaluation did not come as a pleasant surprise to Red Bull and Max Verstappen, as they believed their power unit was inferior to at least Mercedes'.

The Austrian outfit's misfortune was that ADUO only focuses on the internal combustion engine, while the battery appears to be the weak point of the Red Bull Ford power unit.

After the Hungarian Grand Prix, the FIA once again began analysing the data, focusing on the internal combustion engine. The federation will inform the teams of the outcome even before the Dutch Grand Prix weekend at Zandvoort.

In any case, Red Bull must seriously consider the possibility that Mercedes will once again be rated below them. GPblog understands that following the previous ADUO round, Mercedes did indeed modify its power unit, but the Germans focused solely on improving reliability and are said not to have added any performance.

In that case, Red Bull Ford should register the same figures relative to Mercedes as it did earlier this year, although that is not a certainty. It cannot be ruled out that, following the many complaints and discussions with Red Bull, the FIA would use a different measurement method this time around.

For the future, the motorsport federation is in any case considering adjusting the ADUO regulations. One idea is to also include the battery in the assessment. However, there is no consensus among the Formula 1 teams on the matter yet.