That is because it only considers the internal combustion engine, which is not the only performance differentiator in the current hybrids, with Mercedes excelling across the board.<\/p>\n
Read Also:<\/p>\n
So there have been discussions about tweaking the system for 2027\u00a0\u2013 FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis confirmed there are \u201cweaknesses\u201d\u00a0\u2013 which Red Bull is very keen on.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were surprised and a bit more than that at the initial evaluations from the FIA,\u201d said Mekies.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made our case. We showed them why we felt it was not capturing the right picture.\u00a0We are having discussions with them on what can be improved in the methodologies for next year with them.<\/p>\n
![\"Laurent](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791303372_910_laurent-mekies-red-bull-racing.jpg\")
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Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal<\/p>\n
Photo by: Ashwith S Pai<\/p>\n
\u201cThat’s where we are. Then at some stage, we like to say in Red Bull Racing<\/a> we like to reduce the noise and concentrate on pure racing.\u00a0 So at some stage, you concentrate on yourself and you keep pushing with what you have.<\/p>\n \u201cUltimately, we prefer to be in a position to have a strong engine and no ADUO rather than a weak engine and claiming the ADUO.\u201d<\/p>\n Under the latest results Mercedes has been granted one token for being 2-4% down on power, Ferrari<\/a>, Audi<\/a> and Honda all have two for being over 4%, whereas Red Bull does not have any.<\/p>\n But that doesn\u2019t mean there are simply zero ways for Red Bull to improve, especially when this season has seen a gradual upturn in form with relentless upgrades on the RB22.<\/p>\n \u201cWhilst ADUO is trying to somehow estimate the peak power of the ICE, there is a huge number of other performance factors that can be developed and improved,\u201d Mekies added.<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially in the first year for us as a power unit manufacturer. So, of course, the guys have been doing huge jobs at developing the package for drivers, operating windows.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is huge development work in the background, even though you cannot change the hardware. I guess it’s especially true for us in our very first year of operation.\u201d<\/p>\n Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal<\/p>\n Photo by: Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n The latest major upgrade package Red Bull introduced was for September\u2019s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen<\/a> finished runner-up and within a second of Mercedes\u2019 George Russell<\/a>.<\/p>\n That was his fifth podium in six grands\u00a0prix and, just a week later in Malaysia, the world champion took his first victory of 2026, having claimed one podium in the opening five rounds.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I take from the Baku upgrade is not so much what it unlocks,\u201d said Mekies. \u201cI don’t think there was anything too specific about that upgrade compared to our previous ones.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I take from that one is that once again, this team has been able to produce an incredible season development.<\/p>\n \u201cWe started on the back foot. But equally, nobody was going to wait for us, and starting from that more than one second [deficit] and being where we are now, I think it’s very much a Red Bull Racing trademark to have this strong in-season development.<\/p>\n \u201cAt some stage, we felt there would be a possibility that we get stuck into that three-tenths mark compared to the best cars.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the end, the guys have been doing a job at 360 [degrees], our chassis side, PU side, to eat up those last three-tenths, which we felt would be the most difficult.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Baku upgrade played a role with that, but it’s part of a more global effort from everyone\u00a0\u2013 chassis side, PU side\u00a0\u2013 to extract more.\u201d<\/p>\n Read Also:<\/p>\n We want your opinion!<\/p>\n What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?<\/p>\n![\"Max](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791303373_708_max-verstappen-red-bull-racing.jpg\")
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