Red Bull has once again been judged to have Formula 1’s most powerful internal combustion engine under the FIA’s latest performance assessment, leaving the team ineligible for additional development opportunities available to rival manufacturers.
The outcome repeats the findings from the opening review period earlier in the season. Red Bull had hoped the second evaluation might place its power unit far enough behind the benchmark to qualify for extra upgrade allowances under Formula 1’s new engine regulations.
The FIA introduced its Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities programme, known as ADUO, alongside the new-generation hybrid power units. The system is intended to prevent manufacturers with a significant performance deficit from remaining permanently behind their rivals.
However, the assessment does not measure the complete power unit. It focuses exclusively on the internal combustion engine, while the electrical components — which now contribute close to half of the overall power-unit performance — are excluded from the calculation.
That distinction has made the system controversial. Mercedes is widely regarded as having the strongest overall power unit package in 2026, yet Red Bull continues to lead the FIA’s combustion-engine ranking.
The governing body reassesses manufacturers every six races. Its latest evaluation was completed after the Dutch Grand Prix, the 12th round of the season.
According to the FIA classification, Mercedes falls between 2% and 4% behind the leading combustion engine. Audi, Ferrari and Honda are all more than 4% behind the benchmark.
Under the ADUO rules, Mercedes therefore receives one additional development opportunity in 2026 and another in 2027. Audi, Ferrari and Honda are each entitled to two extra upgrades, while Red Bull receives none because its combustion engine remains the reference point.
The ranking contrasts sharply with the results on track. Mercedes has won eight of the first 12 races of the season, while Red Bull has yet to take a victory.
Red Bull entered the new regulations with an entirely new power-unit operation after investing in its own engine design and manufacturing facilities. The project marked a major expansion of the team’s technical capabilities but has so far failed to translate its combustion-engine advantage into race-winning overall performance.
FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis said the governing body had carried out an extensive review of the available performance data and remained confident in the reliability of its conclusions.
The FIA is limiting the amount of technical detail it releases because of manufacturers’ intellectual property and confidentiality requirements. It has also indicated that the ADUO framework could be adjusted in future seasons as officials and manufacturers gain more experience with the system.