1996 World Champion Damon Hill understands that some teams are \u201cgaming the system\u201d when it comes to the FIA\u2019s ADUO initiative.<\/p>\n
Hill\u2019s statement comes after the Red Bull<\/a> internal combustion engine was deemed the F1 2026 standard at the first checkpoint ahead of the Barcelona GP. Red Bull has no desire of engaging in gamesmanship with rivals under the system.<\/p>\n Damon Hill\u2019s ADUO games theory after Red Bull finding<\/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 The ADUO [Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities] concept was introduced for F1 2026 and is designed to reduce disparities between the sport\u2019s engine manufacturers.<\/p>\n Using assessment intervals in each F1 season from 2026 to 2030, ADUO exists to pick up excelling and struggling manufacturers, offering additional ICE upgrade opportunities for those adjudged to have fallen behind.<\/p>\n The first interval adjudged F1 power unit newcomers Red Bull to have the top ICE.<\/p>\n Ahead of the announcement, Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies was asked about potential ADUO games being played by the manufacturers. Claims swirled that Mercedes was not running its engine at full power, and table-turning said rivals were doing the same to widen the gap.<\/p>\n Mercedes had taken every F1 2026 grand prix win on offer ahead of the Barcelona GP.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, now you\u2019re asking us to enter into the game?\u201d Mekies replied.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, seriously, the way we look at it, I can only give you what we think is a pecking order. Do whatever you like with it.\u201d<\/p>\n Red Bull\u2019s pecking order had Mercedes as the benchmark.<\/p>\n Addressing the ADUO situation via \u2018The Undercut with Damon Hill and Mark Hughes\u2019 podcast, Hill said: \u201cIt is quite interesting that we\u2019re now getting people gaming the system, it seems.<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe that some teams may have more power than they\u2019re showing, because they know they\u2019re going to be penalised at a date with the ADUO development opportunity.<\/p>\n \u201cSo they\u2019re going, \u2018Well, I\u2019m not going to show you what I\u2019ve got until you\u2019ve brought in the changes, and then after that, I\u2019ll take the cape off and reveal my true identity.’\u201d<\/p>\n Respected F1 analyst Mark Hughes added: \u201cSo I think you could have had a scenario in those first few races where the performances were being measured, where, for example, Mercedes suspects Ferrari is not showing its full hand, and so it doesn\u2019t show its full hand, and so as they\u2019re both sort of watching each other, that might be why the Red Bull has been measured as the best.\u201d<\/p>\n Hughes suggested that it is \u201csuspicious\u201d therefore that Ferrari went and won the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix through Lewis Hamilton, that the first race after the initial ADUO findings were announced.<\/p>\n Of course, Ferrari also introduced a significant upgrade package in Barcelona, which is a very viable theory behind the Scuderia\u2019s marked improvement for that event.<\/p>\n Latest F1 2026 talking points via PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n Honda delivers honest Aston Martin message as engine upgrade looms<\/a><\/p>\n A god or just fortunate? Sainz weighs in on Hamilton\u2019s breakthrough Ferrari win<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s an interesting observation,\u201d Hill responded to Hughes.<\/p>\n He continued: \u201cSo this is just another strategy. It\u2019s another strategy game of the game of Formula 1.\u201d<\/p>\n Hamilton had expressed surprise over the Red Bull ADUO verdict heading into Barcelona. Audi F1 boss Mattia Binotto pointed to how the system is looking at \u201cpure engine power\u201d, rather than a full power unit.<\/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