Sources: Mercedes and Ferrari granted ADUO

Mercedes and Ferrari look set for additional engine upgrades this season after Red Bull’s new power unit topped the FIA’s ICE Performance Index, according to an ESPN-obtained document. Red Bull Powertrains was ranked ahead of Mercedes, with Ferrari, Audi, and Honda following in the next tier. The FIA has not officially published ADUO upgrade allocations, but teams were briefed ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton suggested the standings reflect progress but stressed that upgrades take time, describing the ADUO process as an eight-to-ten-month effort rather than an immediate fix. The ADUO framework weighs engine metrics across the first six races of the season to limit performance gaps. While Red Bull led in ICE performance, Mercedes has won all six races so far, and this token-based upgrade approach will also push Ferrari, Audi, and Honda to pursue improvements. The report notes that Red Bull’s engine project began earlier this decade under Christian Horner with Ford in partnership and is now focused on the 2026 season and forthcoming regulations.