Audi team principal Mattia Binotto calls on the FIA to revise the ADUO regulation. The motorsport federation measures the power of the various V6 engines to create a ranking, where suppliers with a weaker power unit get room for upgrades. The FIA judged that Red Bull Ford Powertrains was the benchmark, allowing the dominant Mercedes to further tweak the engine. Illogical, Binotto argues.
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“In my opinion, the operation of the ADUO regulation is limited,” Binotto told the media in Silverstone. “This is because only the performance on the circuit is considered. A car with a general speed advantage can afford not to fully exploit the potential of its engine,” he explained. “It may be that Mercedes has a much stronger engine but does not have to push it to the limit because the car already offers a significant advantage. And now they also get extra development space. That is precisely why I think the regulation on this point needs to be revised.”
According to Binotto, the original idea behind ADUO was different. The system was introduced to give manufacturers who started the new engine regulations at a disadvantage – like Audi – a chance to get closer to the competition. “Regarding the results, I do not doubt the work of the FIA,” assured the Italian. “They have all the necessary tools and data to make their assessments. However, I think it is important not to lose sight of the original objective of ADUO. When the concept was first discussed, it was intended as a kind of safety net.”
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ADUO regulation
“If a manufacturer was far behind at the start of the regulatory cycle, with virtually frozen regulations and little room for development, that disadvantage could last for five years,” explained the Audi team principal. “That was the reason for the ADUO concept: a chance for manufacturers who were far behind to catch up. Ultimately, the same principle already exists for the chassis and aerodynamics. Manufacturers who are further behind naturally get more time in the wind tunnel. Similarly, manufacturers who lag behind in engine power get more development opportunities. All with the aim of making the championship as balanced as possible.”
Red Bull has also previously expressed criticism about the results of the ADUO regulation. Red Bull Ford Powertrains, which was surprisingly placed at the top of the ranking, has now requested access to the data. What makes the current regulation even more remarkable is that the measurements are only carried out based on the power of the V6 engine, while teams are also allowed to make adjustments to the hybrid component afterwards; the FIA allows upgrades to the entire powertrain.
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