With the engine freeze over and new creations in play for F1 2026, a new system comes into force regarding how teams can develop their engines.<\/p>\n
The new FIA initiative is designed to stop one manufacturer domination, permitting in-season development for any manufacturer which has fallen behind. Ferrari\u2019s engine chief Enrico Gualtieri currently has no concerns that a rival could game this system.<\/p>\n
Ferrari \u2018comfortable\u2019 with ADUO process<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for news you can trust.<\/p>\n For F1 2026, the sport\u2019s governing body, the FIA, introduced its Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO)<\/a> concept.<\/p>\n Mercedes, Ferrari<\/a>, Red Bull Ford, Honda and Audi are the five manufacturers to have designed engines to the new 50\/50 electric and biofuel rules. Should any of those fall behind on engine performance, when the FIA takes measurements at 25, 50, and 75 per cent season completion, additional development opportunities will be made available to address any deficits.<\/p>\n PlanetF1.com\u2019s Mat Coch asked Gualtieri whether he believes this system justly rewards those to get it right, and whether he worries it could lead to some manufacturers \u2018sandbagging\u2019, so not displaying maximum performance, to exploit potential longer-term benefits.<\/p>\n \u201cThe ADUO mechanism, for being able to have additional upgrades and development opportunities during the season,\u201d Gualtieri began in response.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a new process for everyone. It\u2019s a new process for the FIA. It\u2019s a new process for the power unit manufacturers. I feel that it\u2019s quite well prescribed into the definition [of what is allowed].<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, we will take some time to get used to it, to the outcomes, but I think it\u2019s robust enough to go on with what we think may be the final target of this mechanism.<\/p>\n \u201cSo for the moment, we are certainly comfortable with the process.<\/p>\n \u201cDespite that, we obviously keep in touch with the FIA in case of any additional requirements. But for the moment, it is fine for us.\u201d<\/p>\n More on F1 2026 from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n How F1 2026 aero rules aim to beat dirty air \u2014 and where teams can still innovate<\/a><\/p>\n F1 overtaking rules: Guidelines, rules of engagement and possible penalties<\/a><\/p>\n In addition to the increased electrification, these new engines also will run on fully sustainable biofuels.<\/p>\n The use of biofuel itself has changed little for Ferrari, but the process of getting it has been a change of pace.<\/p>\n \u201cIn terms of the new fuel, so advanced sustainable fuel, we have to say that it\u2019s not really a big change in terms of final composition of the fuel,\u201d said Gualtieri.<\/p>\n \u201cFinally, the fuel is supposed to be designed almost in the same way that it was before. Because finally, what it counts at the end of the story are the molecules and the properties that these molecules can, let\u2019s say, achieve and deploy.<\/p>\n \u201cSo the engine appetite doesn\u2019t really change a lot, meaning that the fuel design is almost similar to what we were using before.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is really the big change compared to the last season, at least, or the previous seasons in terms of fuel, is that now the fuel has to comply with restrictions in terms of supply chain, in terms of feed stocks, so in terms of original or raw materials from which the fuel has to start, just for the sustainability reasons.<\/p>\n \u201cSo this is an additional point on top of the performance and efficiency that we were always looking for from a fuel. And this is certainly something that changed the way that us and the fuel suppliers have got the exercise to define the proper fuel design at the end of the story.\u201d<\/p>\n Additional reporting by Mat Coch<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n