Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) is a mechanism within the 2026 Formula 1 Technical Regulations (Article C4) allowing Power Unit manufacturers whose Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) performance falls at least 2% below the best-performing ICE across defined review periods to introduce additional homologated upgrades to their Power Unit during the current and following season, but also to benefit from additional Cost Cap and dyno testing allowances. The level of ADUO is calculated over three periods in each season, with the level of allowance determined by the size of the performance gap to the leading ICE. The first review period was concluded after the Canadian Grand Prix and the second review period concluded after the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The FIA can confirm that the results of the first and second ADUO analysis period of 2026 have been communicated to all Power Unit manufacturers.
For the first period:
- Mercedes were determined to be in the 2-4% window, and will thus be allowed one additional homologation in 2026 and an additional one in 2027, together with corresponding cost cap and dyno testing increases.
- Audi, Ferrari and Honda were determined to be above 4%, and will thus be allowed 2 additional homologations in 2026 and 2 in 2027, together with corresponding cost cap and dyno testing increases.
For the second period, no additional homologations were granted to any of the Power Unit Manufacturers.
Due to the confidential nature of this information, no further details on Power Unit performance index measurements will be communicated.
Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Director of Single Seater, said: “The FIA has undertaken thorough and exhaustive analysis as part of our ADUO review process. With the release of the findings of period 2, we are confident that, based on the quality of the data, its analysis is incredibly robust, giving us a high level of confidence in our findings. We also have to respect the confidentiality and intellectual property of the teams and their Power Unit Manufacturers in disseminating any details from the findings.
“This is the first year of ADUO so naturally there are areas which we may evolve over time, in discussion with all the PU Manufacturers”
The third ADUO review period of 2026 will cover races 12-18 (Netherlands to Mexico City).
ENDS
Note to editors: More information about ADUO can be found here.
