The world of Formula 1 is abuzz with the introduction of ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities), a new system designed to level the playing field among power unit manufacturers. As the FIA evaluates the performance of these units, the tension is palpable, especially with Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies refusing to engage in any gamesmanship with rival manufacturers.
Mekies is clear-eyed about the current state of affairs, acknowledging that Mercedes' High Performance power unit is currently ahead of the pack, while Honda's engine is trailing at the back. This stark reality is a significant point of contention, with every power unit manufacturer, excluding Mercedes, believing they have a case for ADUO.
The concept of ADUO is intriguing, aiming to minimize performance deficits between the sport's five power unit manufacturers. The FIA will monitor each manufacturer's Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) performance by creating an 'ICE Performance Index'. If a manufacturer's ICE is 2% or more behind the best-performing engine, they qualify for ADUO.
The implications of this are far-reaching. A manufacturer deemed to be at least 2% but less than 4% down will receive one additional homologation upgrade in the current season, while any power unit that is 4% or more down will be given two additional upgrades. This could potentially change the dynamics of the sport, especially with Honda, the manufacturer in question, trailing significantly.
The first round of ADUO evaluations ended after the Canadian Grand Prix, with the FIA revealing that the results would be communicated within two weeks. This has sparked further debate, with claims of gamesmanship that Mercedes isn't running its engine at full power, and counterclaims that rivals are doing the same to widen the gap. Mekies, however, remains focused on the facts.
"We think the pecking order is Mercedes, in terms of the powertrain, ahead of the field," he said. "And that means eight cars, so it is very significant. We think behind them there is a group where we see us, Ferrari, Audi — don’t ask me to quote the numbers because it will be gaming — but we certainly see a consistent gap compared to the Mercedes-Benz-powered cars."
Despite his pride in Red Bull Ford Powertrains' achievement, Mekies is realistic about the current situation. He acknowledges that Honda is further back, and the question of whether ADUO will provide the necessary assistance to Honda is on everyone's mind. The FIA has yet to announce the results of the ADUO analysis, which will be revealed in the next two weeks before Monaco.
The introduction of ADUO is a significant development in Formula 1, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape. As the sport continues to evolve, the question of who will benefit from ADUO and how it will impact the pecking order remains a central point of discussion and speculation.
