Ahead of the arrival of the major technical revamp, F1Technical’s senior writer Balazs Szabo explains how the governing body, the FIA intends to prevent large performance gaps between Formula One power‑unit manufacturers.
The FIA has approved a new regulatory mechanism called Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO), designed to prevent large performance gaps between Formula One power‑unit manufacturers when the radically revised 2026 engine regulations come into force.
The initiative was confirmed following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, where the governing body outlined a series of amendments intended to safeguard competitive balance as the sport transitions to its next hybrid era.
What will change in 2026?
Under the 2026 ruleset, Formula One will retain the 1.6‑litre turbo‑hybrid architecture but eliminate the MGU‑H, significantly increase the output of the MGU‑K, and mandate the use of fully sustainable fuels.
The shift represents the most substantial power‑unit overhaul since 2014, and it coincides with the arrival of new manufacturers such as Audi and Red Bull‑Ford, alongside established suppliers Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault, and Honda. With such a diverse field and a clean‑sheet technical framework, the FIA has acknowledged the risk of a single manufacturer gaining a disproportionate advantage early in the cycle.
To address this, ADUO should represent a structured safety net that allows the FIA to grant targeted development concessions to any manufacturer found to be significantly behind the competitive baseline.
According to the FIA’s published statements, the system is intended to ensure “greater development opportunities for PU manufacturers who find themselves significantly behind,” thereby preventing a repeat of the prolonged performance imbalance seen during the early years of the V6 turbo‑hybrid era.
How should ADUO work?
The ADUO framework includes scheduled performance assessments at multiple points during the season. It is believed that the FIA will conduct formal parity checks after Races 6, 12, and 18 — corresponding to 25%, 50%, and 75% of a 24‑round calendar — to determine whether any supplier requires regulatory relief.
If a manufacturer is judged to be materially behind, the FIA may authorise additional test‑bench hours, extra homologation changes, or temporary cost‑cap flexibility specifically targeted at closing the gap.
The system is not intended to equalise performance artificially, but rather to prevent structural disadvantages from becoming entrenched.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasised the importance of the initiative during the announcement, describing the regulatory updates as part of the federation’s broader effort to ensure a stable and globally competitive future for the sport. Speaking from the FIA’s new London office, he highlighted the organisation’s commitment to maintaining fairness as Formula One enters a transformative period.