FIA director of single-seaters, Nikolas Tombazis, admits that the current ADUO regulation definitely needs to be revised. The top official does not rule out improvements to the system for the future, especially now that Red Bull Powertrains risks being ‘checkmated’ by the competition. In theory, the other teams can choose not to use all allocated development opportunities immediately. This way, the Red Bull power unit remains the benchmark for the rest of the season: “But I don’t think that’s convenient for teams,” Tombazis says.
The ADUO rule – which stands for Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities – is in effect for the first time this year but already causes enough discussion in the paddock. Under the rule, engine suppliers who lag behind the FIA-established benchmark – the Red Bull Powertrains power unit – get the chance to further develop their engine.
The fact that the Red Bull engine was ultimately designated as the best on the grid, and not Mercedes’, immediately sparked the first point of discussion. Especially since the ADUO measurements are based solely on the combustion engine. This creates a significant discrepancy between the measurement method and the development possibilities, which also include the electric part of the power unit.
‘Almost everything in F1 is sensitive’
That the new ADUO regulation immediately causes so much controversy does not surprise FIA top official Nikolas Tombazis. “Well, in F1 almost everything seems quite sensitive. So it rarely happens that eleven teams and five or six engine manufacturers say: ‘Fantastic, we all agree’,” the Greek told Motorsport.com. “The only thing I think everyone agrees on is that the summer break in August is a good thing. I must remind you that that was my idea.”
According to the FIA director of single-seaters, the FIA’s measurements for the regulation are correct. “It’s all quite sensitive. Everyone is so competitive and so focused on their position relative to others. So yes, it has been quite a challenge,” he continued. “I think our measurements, in my opinion, have proven to be very accurate. That said: has everything gone flawlessly? No, because it’s clear that people are not satisfied. Should we think about improvements for the future? Yes, I would say so.”
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Red Bull checkmated
One of the shortcomings of the ADUO rule at the moment is that teams can ‘checkmate’ Red Bull. Teams like Mercedes or Ferrari can choose not to use all development opportunities under ADUO yet, deliberately allowing Red Bull to keep the best engine.
Tombazis, however, does not believe this will happen in practice. “Well, I don’t think it would be convenient for a team to always stay below their maximum achievable power,” said the FIA top official. “Just to get more opportunities. Because what’s the point of getting opportunities if ultimately it’s not about being at the top?”
Still, the Greek sees that the system needs to be revised in the coming years. “I think the regulation works as intended. Although I do believe there are some weak points that we need to address in the future,” he concluded. “Also, to make it less time-consuming and less controversial, we need to take steps in the future to improve it.”
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