FIA concedes controversial ADUO scheme has ‘weaknesses’

The FIA has acknowledged that Formula 1’s controversial Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system will need refining, admitting that the mechanism contains “weaknesses” that must be addressed in the coming years.

The scheme, introduced at the start of the 2026 season, allows power-unit manufacturers whose internal combustion engine is measured at least two percent behind the benchmark to receive extra development opportunities.

The system was designed to prevent suppliers from falling permanently behind, but it has quickly become one of the paddock’s most debated topics.

Questions have been raised over the fact that ADUO evaluates only the combustion engine and not the electrical recovery system, which contributes significantly to overall power output.

Rival manufacturers have also privately suggested that some suppliers may have underplayed their true performance early in the season in order to qualify for the extra development allowance.

FIA defends accuracy of measurements

FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis admitted that achieving consensus in Formula 1 is rarely straightforward.

“Well, in F1 it seems that almost everything is quite sensitive. So it’s very rare that you get 11 teams and five or six PU manufacturers saying, ‘Fantastic, we all agree’,” he told Motorsport.com.

Tombazis then offered a lighter example of how difficult agreement can be in the sport.

“The only thing I think that everybody agrees on is that the August shutdown is a good thing, and I have to remind you that it was my idea.”

“But that’s the only thing that everybody agrees on. I think everything else [is difficult]. And even that took time for everybody to agree on. You know, when Franz Tost [former AlphaTauri boss] was still in place, he didn’t want it.”

The FIA’s current measurements placed Red Bull Powertrains at the top of the performance rankings, a result that surprised many in the paddock and prompted Red Bull to seek a factual verification.

But Tombazis insisted the governing body remains confident in the accuracy of its data.

“Everything is quite sensitive because everyone is so competitive and so focused on their relative position compared to the others,” he said. “So yes, it has been quite a challenge.

“I think our measurement, in my opinion, has proven to be very accurate.”

Changes in the works for the future

While defending the methodology, Tombazis conceded that the wider system has not operated as smoothly as intended.

“With that said, has everything worked fine? No, because obviously people are not happy and so on. Do we need to think about improvements in the future? Yes, I would say so.”

One concern raised by critics is that manufacturers granted ADUO could theoretically avoid using their upgrade tokens immediately, allowing Red Bull to remain the benchmark and preventing the leading supplier from accessing the same opportunities. Tombazis believes that scenario is unlikely.

“Well, I don’t think it would be convenient for you to always be below [your maximum power] just to keep getting more opportunities, because then what’s the point of opportunities if it isn’t ultimately for you to be on top?” Tombazis elaborated.

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Even so, the FIA now accepts that revisions will be required before future seasons.

“I think the system is working as it was designed, but I do think there are some weaknesses that we need to address in the future.”

“Also to make it less time-consuming and less controversial, we do need to make some steps to improve it in the future.”

The admission is significant. Rather than abandoning ADUO, the FIA appears committed to preserving the principle of helping underperforming engine manufacturers while reducing the controversy, complexity and administrative burden that have already become defining features of the system’s first season.

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