Bryn Lennon/Formula 1 via Getty Images
No F1 power adjustments after latest FIA analysis
The FIA has released the findings of its latest power unit performance monitoring period and offered up no additional development and upgrade opportunities (ADUO) to manufacturers.
The new power units are being reviewed by the governing body at regular intervals to identify if any manufacturer is significantly lagging behind the leading internal combustion engine (ICE). For a manufacturer with an ICE deemed to be between 2-4% of the best performing, one additional homologation in both this season and 2027 is permitted, while any ICE more than 4% adrift will see the manufacturer allowed two additional homologations in each season.
Any manufacturer within 2% does not receive any opportunity to re-homologate its power unit outside of the existing annual permissions.
The first review period ran up to and including the Canadian Grand Prix, with the second ending following the Hungarian Grand Prix, and the FIA says no additional homologations were granted to any of the manufacturers. That leaves the existing ADUO allowances in place, with Red Bull assessed to have the leading ICE, Mercedes adjudged to be within 2-4%, and Audi, Ferrari and Honda more than 4% off.
“The FIA has undertaken thorough and exhaustive analysis as part of our ADUO review process,” FIA director of single seater Nikolas Tombazis said. “With the release of the findings of period 2, we are confident that, based on the quality of the data, its analysis is incredibly robust, giving us a high level of confidence in our findings.
“We also have to respect the confidentiality and intellectual property of the teams and their power unit manufacturers in disseminating any details from the findings. This is the first year of ADUO, so naturally there are areas which we may evolve over time, in discussion with all the PU manufacturers.”
While ADUO is granted based on ICE performance, manufacturers are allowed to upgrade a wide range of power unit components outside of the ICE if granted additional homologations. Red Bull had disputed the FIA’s findings after Canada, but the latest results reaffirm a lack of opportunities to increase its power unit performance in-season.
The third review period runs from last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix up to and including the Mexico City GP at the start of November.
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
Read Chris Medland's articles
Latest News
Comments
Comments are disabled until you accept Social Networking Cookies. Update cookie preferences
If the dialog doesn't appear, ad-blockers are often the cause; try disabling yours or see our Social Features Support.
