RED BULL FEARS F1 RIVALS WILL KEEP IT IN AN ADUO 'TRAP'

Red Bull fears getting trapped by the FIA’s ADUO engine performance rankings. The governing body initially deemed Red Bull’s internal combustion engine (ICE) 2% ahead of Mercedes and 4% clear of the field after the first five races. Red Bull is challenging these findings, prompting an FIA review of the data, which so far hasn't found errors in the initial conclusions.

The core fear for Red Bull is a "trap." Rivals could strategically develop other power unit areas, like drivability, without directly improving their ICE power. If competitors don't dramatically lift their ICE performance, Red Bull could remain locked in as the benchmark, never meeting the criteria for an ADUO window to bring performance upgrades. This scenario would prevent Red Bull from developing their engine for both the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Team boss Laurent Mekies highlighted the "large risk" this poses, stressing the importance of the FIA reaching the correct conclusion. A wrong ruling could have "heavy" consequences for their long-term performance.