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Lewis Hamilton has admitted he was surprised to hear that Red Bull Powertrains had reportedly been judged Formula 1’s leading engine under the FIA’s ADUO evaluation process.
Speaking after finishing second in last week’s Monaco Grand Prix, Hamilton revealed — before any official FIA confirmation — that Red Bull’s power unit had been assessed as the strongest in the ADUO framework. The process considers only the output from the Internal Combustion Engine when deciding which manufacturers qualify for assistance.
That assistance allows eligible power unit manufacturers to introduce upgrades aimed at reducing performance gaps. Under Hamilton’s explanation, Mercedes HPP would be in line for one upgrade, while Audi, Ferrari and Honda would receive two each. Red Bull, as the manufacturer reportedly assessed as having the best engine, would not qualify for any such upgrade allowance.
The position remains unofficial until the FIA communicates its verdict publicly, but the reported outcome has already sharpened attention around the governing body’s engine-balancing mechanism. For more on that wider process, read our report on the FIA reviewing ADUO findings after Red Bull’s engine ranking.
Hamilton was clear that Red Bull’s progress deserved recognition, particularly given the short timeframe involved for a new engine manufacturer.
"It is definitely a surprise, because the Red Bull and Mercedes engines are very, very close," Hamilton said.
"Red Bull has done an amazing job with their engine, but so has Mercedes, and I heard there was someone who went from Mercedes to Red Bull. They've done something that no one thought they'd do in such a short space of time as a new engine manufacturer, and fair play to them."
Hamilton added that Mercedes still possesses a strong engine, suggesting the difference between the two is marginal rather than decisive.
"Mercedes still has a good engine, maybe as good, but it is very, very close between them," he said.
Hamilton was also asked why Ferrari could not match Mercedes in Monaco, despite the circuit placing less emphasis on outright power. His answer was direct: the SF-26 lacked downforce.
"I've not really spoken to them on the analysis, but I think it is just pure downforce," Hamilton explained.
He pointed to Ferrari’s Miami upgrade package and Mercedes’ later development step, saying the difference became visible in Monaco when Kimi Antonelli was ahead of him.
"I could see when [Kimi Antonelli] was ahead of me just how much earlier he could get onto the power, how much more rear-end he had through the corners, and I couldn't keep up, and that's just downforce."
For Hamilton, then, the Monaco picture was not simply an engine story. It was a reminder that even where power matters less, rear grip and aerodynamic load can define the pace ceiling.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.
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