The ADUO engine ruling has ignited a new political dispute in F1.

      The contentious ADUO engine assistance system in Formula 1 is already igniting allegations of political maneuvering even before the FIA has officially clarified its decision. The governing body is anticipated to reveal the specifics this week, though leaked information indicates that Mercedes and Ferrari will be granted development concessions, while Red Bull-Ford will not benefit from such measures.

      The ADUO system aims to support manufacturers that have lagged behind in light of the newly controversial 2026 power unit regulations. Reports from the paddock suggest that Red Bull’s combustion engine is viewed as the standard, rendering it ineligible for assistance. This has taken many observers by surprise, particularly given Mercedes’ dominant start to the season.

      In the case of Mercedes, reports indicate the FIA found the German manufacturer to be roughly 2 percent below the benchmark engine. Ferrari is believed to be over 4 percent behind, which may lead to broader concessions, including additional development hours, increased funding, and more flexibility in homologation.

      Honda is thought to be the furthest back, with a gap estimated between 6 and 8 percent. Audi is believed to lie between Ferrari and Honda, qualifying for significant support as it works on developing its inaugural Formula 1 power unit.

      Dutch driver Tom Coronel expressed his confusion over the rankings, stating, "I just heard the rumors," he relayed to Viaplay. "It’s now claimed that Ford has the best engine and Mercedes has the second-best engine." He humorously gestured with two fingers while commenting on the political dynamics in Formula 1. "In other words, Mercedes' lobbyists seem to be doing quite well. I’m sure they’ll be well compensated."

      Coronel suspects there is much more at play than just engineering merits. "It's certainly a major political game," he remarked.

      The controversy revolves around the fact that ADUO only evaluates the performance of the internal combustion engine, neglecting battery performance, energy recovery systems, and electrical power output—key components under Formula 1’s heavily electrified 2026 regulations. Red Bull reportedly contends that its peak performance is only realized within a limited operational window, which does not fully represent the power unit's capabilities.

      For now, Red Bull is concentrating on identifying performance improvements elsewhere, with technical director Pierre Wache confirming that further upgrades are planned. "We will be introducing a few small developments in Barcelona," he told Canal Plus, "but in Austria, we will roll out a larger upgrade package." Wache also confirmed that Red Bull is still working on shedding the final excess weight from the car.