FIA plans to expedite the implementation of engine 'catch-up' regulations.
A delay would have benefited Mercedes.
The governing body of Formula 1 is ready to expedite initiatives aimed at assisting struggling engine manufacturers in narrowing the performance gap to the dominant Mercedes. According to motorsport-magazin.com, the FIA plans to suggest moving forward the first review under the new ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunity) system, partly due to the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.
Originally, the first performance comparison among engine suppliers was set to occur after six races, but that milestone has now been postponed to Monaco in early June due to the canceled events in April. This delay would have been advantageous for Mercedes, whose power unit currently leads the competition. The FIA's proposal would essentially reinstate the original timeline by initiating the first ADUO review earlier in the season, possibly after the Miami Grand Prix.
This change is expected to receive broad support, with Mercedes likely being the sole manufacturer opposed. According to the ADUO rules, manufacturers falling short of the benchmark by more than 2 percent can benefit from additional development freedoms, with further allowances for larger performance gaps. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur recognized the potential importance of this system, stating, "This will be an opportunity to close the gap. But performance doesn’t solely rely on the engine. Energy management, chassis, tyres - every aspect matters."
The push to expedite this mechanism comes amid increasing pressure related to the 2026 regulations, with significant criticism aimed at the new power unit concept, reliability issues throughout the grid, and a notable competitive imbalance among manufacturers. Some experts believe that without adjustments, the sport may face a repeat of the one-sided dominance witnessed at the beginning of the hybrid era in 2014.
"There’s certainly a situation now where the strong teams will strive to maintain the status quo, while the others will push for change," remarked former Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa in an interview with Diario Sport. "If they don’t alter the regulations, it could be similar." He even hinted at paddock speculations that Mercedes might still be deliberately underperforming, even after the season has begun, saying, "Maybe Mercedes still has a ’magic button’," with a smile.
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