Honda gets extra F1 power unit help after FIA tweaks rules

Formula 1's governing body the FIA has made additional tweaks to the relevant 2026 regulations to help power unit manufacturers catch up in a move which is expected to give struggling Honda extra assistance.

F1 had devised a so-called ADUO system - Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities - for 2026's all-new power units to avoid a similar scenario of the previous rule cycle where one or more engine builders would take a long time to become reasonably competitive.

As was the case over the last rule cycle, it is current Aston Martin partner Honda that is in that position after being on the back foot with its development, fielding a power unit that is both uncompetitive and facing early reliability issues.

As part of the ADUO system, there is a sliding scale of additional upgrade opportunities and power unit cost cap exemptions depending on how much a manufacturer's V6 engine is falling behind the benchmark.

Teams are afforded additional cost cap allowance and dyno hours for ever 2% they are behind, with the FIA now adding an additional column to the regulations for manufacturers down 10% on ICE power, up from 8%. There is also an additional $8m allowance for this year only.

There is an outline in the technical regulations of every specific power unit component that can be upgraded outside the usual homologation period through this ADUO mechanic. ADUO is no silver bullet however, and it will still be up to the lagging manufacturers to develop their way to the front of the back, which in Honda's case will likely take time.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

First ADUO period now starts after Canada

Originally the ADUO allowance would be based on performance measured after three set points in the season, following rounds six, 12 and 18. But with the two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cancelled, the FIA has now adjusted that schedule. The first review point now comes after round five, Montreal's Canadian Grand Prix later this month, followed by round 11 in Hungary and round 18 in Mexico.

The FIA wrote both the ADUO windows and its performance measuring process could still undergo changes if deemed necessary.

"These ADUO periods may be adjusted by the FIA in the event of any significant change to the Competition calendar," the FIA stated. "The proposed 2% threshold and subsequent resolution of the ICE performance index will be validated or adjusted after conclusion of the ongoing activities between PU Manufacturers and F1 Teams related to the on-track ICE performance measurement."