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FIA Proposes ADUO Overhaul to Assist Struggling Honda and Ease Grid Tensions
Formula 1 is weighing significant changes to its engine catch-up system for 2027 to help Honda and address front-runner grievances.
By Sanne Vermeer - 2026-09-21T16:06:40.000Z - 3 min read
Formula 1 is considering a major overhaul of its engine development regulations for next year, driven by a dual effort to refine the contentious catch-up mechanism and provide relief to Honda. The governing body is actively reviewing potential modifications to the ADUO system ahead of the 2027 season, seeking to eliminate the friction that has characterized the current rules. Originally designed as a safety net for manufacturers falling behind, the framework encountered heavy criticism after creating unintended competitive distortions among front-running teams.
Contention arose this season primarily because ADUO rankings relied strictly on internal combustion engine power rather than evaluating the complete power unit package. That narrow metric meant Mercedes, widely regarded as operating the strongest overall package, qualified for development steps while Red Bull remained restricted despite not winning a race. Furthermore, benchmark manufacturers often found themselves unable to progress while rivals bypassed restrictions by upgrading unmeasured components, exposing clear operational flaws in the current governance.
Momentum for reform has accelerated following a concerted push by Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll to secure additional assistance for Honda. With the Japanese manufacturer struggling through the opening year of the current engine regulations, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem voiced support for finding ways to aid Honda and safeguard its long-term future in the sport. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff indicated openness to granting further help, noting that a competitive field benefits all constructors, while Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged that stakeholders would need to negotiate wider structural compromises.
Revising the regulations requires navigating a formal consensus through the Power Unit Advisory Committee, where four out of the six participating manufacturers must vote in favor. Options under evaluation include expanding the performance metrics to encompass overall power unit output, modifying how internal combustion parameters are recorded, or tying development allowances directly to constructors' championship positions. Any new framework will coincide with incoming regulatory adjustments concerning fuel flow rates scheduled for 2027.
Honda has maintained a low profile regarding the political discussions, choosing not to lobby the governing body directly for rule changes. Shintaro Orihara, Honda's trackside general manager, emphasized that the manufacturer remains focused on its internal development schedule rather than anticipating regulatory relief. The company has deliberately saved one of its allocated ADUO upgrades to concentrate on a larger performance step for next year, alongside a leadership change that places Yoichiro Fukao in charge of the power unit program.
As teams gather to discuss potential adjustments, achieving a balanced solution remains paramount to avoid penalizing rival manufacturers who have optimized their own programs. While the FIA has defended the accuracy of its initial measurements, acknowledging past shortcomings has opened the door for meaningful structural improvements. The upcoming discussions will test whether the grid's manufacturers can agree on a modernized system that supports struggling participants without compromising sporting fairness.