Which F1 engine manufacturers could benefit from engine upgrades this season?

The change in regulations Formula 1 This marked the end of the engine freeze, but the development framework remains very limited. However, to allow lagging engine manufacturers to overcome any potential technical delays, the FIA ​​introduced ADUO, an acronym for Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities, a mechanism designed to evaluate the performance of the power unit only.

Every six races, the governing body will conduct a competitiveness check in accordance with the regulations. Any engine manufacturer whose power unit is more than 2% behind the fastest would therefore have additional development time. A gap of more than 4% would trigger a further development requirement.

The engine manufacturers concerned would benefit from additional developments, extra time on the test bench, and an adjusted budget cap. A welcome boost for... Maranello that holds the top spot. " I don't want to make a distinction [between the chassis and the power unit]. I want to push in all areas, but we know we need to make progress on the internal combustion engine. admits Frédéric Vasseur, head of Scuderia, to the press on the sidelines of the Chinese Grand Prix. But that will come after the ADUO – on energy, on the chassis, on aerodynamics. We are pushing like crazy in every area to close the gap. »

The benchmark thus appears to be the engine designed by Brixworth which powers Mercedes, McLaren, Williams et Alpine this season. However, it must be revised on June 1st, following protests from rival engine manufacturers regarding a compression ratio exceeding the current limit. I am not convinced that the new rule on compression ratio is a game-changer, or at least that it represents a major upheaval. Vasseur, the head of the rival team, clarifies. It's more about the fact that you will benefit from ADUO at some point, and that adding this ADUO will be an opportunity for us to close the gap. »

Towards the first check as early as the Canadian Grand Prix?

While the first inspection was initially scheduled for the Miami Grand Prix in May, it will logically be postponed to what will now be the sixth race of the 2026 season, the Monaco Grand Prix, due to the cancellation of the races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. If the FIA ​​strictly maintains the six-race quota, the development cycle could be slowed down. However, a regulation adjustment is anticipated to bring forward the inspections to the fifth round in Miami, and then to the 11th and 16th races.

The sooner these power units are optimized, the more intense the fight for the Formula 1 title will become. If Ferrari, currently the second-best team on the grid, manages to activate these development levers, it could seriously challenge Mercedes' dominance at the front.

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