FIA confirms Mercedes granted engine upgrades despite Red Bull complaints

The FIA has confirmed findings from the first two periods of performance review; Red Bull were adjudged to have the strongest engine in the first period, giving the other manufacturers upgrades; watch the Italian Grand Prix at Monza live on Sky Sports F1 on September 4-6

The FIA has confirmed that Mercedes have been granted the opportunity to make upgrades to their engine despite protestations from rival teams.

Following the introduction of all-new engines for the 2026 season, Formula 1's governing body implemented an Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system, designed to allow manufacturers to catch up to the performance of the leading power unit during the rules cycle.

It was revealed in June after the first round of performance assessment, which included the first five rounds of the season, that the FIA had adjudged Red Bull to have the strongest engine and had granted upgrades to Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi and Honda.

The FIA never revealed their findings to the media, but teams and drivers confirmed the outcome publicly, while a document revealing the results was also leaked.

The ruling was seen as controversial because the consensus in the paddock was that Mercedes, whose works team had won the first six grands prix of the season, were being given an upgrade, while Red Bull, who had managed just a single podium in that time, would potentially lose more ground to their rivals.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen spoke out against the findings, while Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff raised further questions over the FIA's processes when he said in July that his team have "the most powerful power unit".

The FIA refrained from publicly confirming the results while a review was carried out, but now, following the second round of assessment, which concluded with the Hungarian Grand Prix ahead of the sport's summer break, the findings from both periods have been announced.

An FIA statement said: "For the first period: Mercedes were determined to be in the two to four per cent window, and will thus be allowed one additional homologation in 2026 and an additional one in 2027, together with corresponding cost cap and dyno testing increases.

"Audi, Ferrari and Honda were determined to be above four per cent, and will thus be allowed two additional homologations in 2026 and two in 2027, together with corresponding cost cap and dyno testing increases."

Mercedes will be allowed one additional PU homologation in 2026 and another one in 2027. Audi, Ferrari and Honda will be allowed 2 additional homologations in 2026 and 2 in 2027, as a result of the first two periods analysis.