Red Bull open to ADUO rule talks following Ben Sulayem plan to aid Honda
Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies has confirmed the team is open to discussions regarding the future of Formula 1’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) framework. The comments follow remarks from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who proposed additional regulatory concessions to assist Honda and retain Fernando Alonso on the grid.
Honda has endured a difficult start in the opening year of the new power unit regulations. With Alonso openly questioning whether to continue in grand prix racing or end his career after his 23rd season, Ben Sulayem suggested intervening to bring the Japanese manufacturer closer to its rivals.
The ADUO Mechanism and 2026 Engine Upgrades
The 2026 engine specifications were homologated earlier this year, but the ADUO system was introduced to allow manufacturers lagging behind the benchmark to close the gap. The baseline measurement is determined by internal combustion engine (ICE) power, where Red Bull’s in-house RBPT power unit was unexpectedly judged as the benchmark.
Under the existing structure, rival manufacturers such as Audi and Ferrari have already introduced their first allotted updates. While Honda is entitled to two upgrades across 2026 and 2027—matching Audi and Ferrari—Ben Sulayem wants to go further, particularly as Aston Martin driver Alonso remains fiercely critical of the sport’s recent direction.
Responding to Ben Sulayem's stance, Mekies emphasised that Red Bull is willing to engage in collaborative talks for the broader health of the championship.
“I think as much as we cannot agree all the time, I think as a sport, we try to keep a fairly open look at the regulations,” Mekies said. “You may recall that there was actually a change in the ADUO regulations earlier this year, precisely in order to help those who were much behind compared to what was initially voted on.
“So all the teams voted in favour of that for the benefit of the sport. If there is a situation that needs fixing or needs to be supported, we normally find solutions. I guess, more to your question, we will at some stage sit down and discuss the future of the ADUO regulations. The shortfalls, we know some of them, and I'm sure there'll be choices to address them.”
Ben Sulayem’s Intervention for Alonso and Honda
Speaking at a business forum in Madrid ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Ben Sulayem branded Alonso’s uncompetitive machinery “not acceptable” and detailed steps taken to assist the project.
“We did something earlier in May, legally, for the team, towards the engine, to go and improve,” Ben Sulayem revealed. “Then I said to him [Alonso], ‘I’m not going to tell you what we are going to do. Please tell me what you want because you are the driver - tell me what you want us to do to improve these results.’
“Suddenly, you see everything change, and then I get a call, and then I had a meeting yesterday. We are here also to support.”
Simone Scanu
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.