The FIA has finished its last engine performance review of the 2026 F1 season, and the order of the five power unit makers has not changed.
Red Bull Ford Powertrains stays the benchmark, so it remains the only manufacturer not allowed extra engine upgrades under the new catch-up system.
How the catch-up system works
The system is called ADUO, short for Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities. It is new for 2026.
The FIA measures the power of each manufacturer's internal combustion engine, the petrol part of the hybrid power unit. Makers who trail the best engine by enough are allowed extra upgrades, known as homologations, during the season.
This third and final review covered the races from the Dutch Grand Prix in August to the United States Grand Prix in October. The FIA said the gaps to Red Bull had changed, but not by enough to grant anyone an extra upgrade.
Who gets what
- Mercedes is between 2% and 4% behind Red Bull. It keeps one extra upgrade for 2026 and one for 2027.
- Ferrari, Honda and Audi are more than 4% behind. Each keeps two extra upgrades for 2026 and two for 2027.
Rivals have already brought upgrades during the season, and Honda has now used both of its extra 2026 upgrades.
No more reviews will take place this year, so the first season of the system is effectively complete.
Changes coming for 2027
The FIA says it is working with the manufacturers and teams on refining how the system measures performance for 2027.
Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA's single-seater director, said the governing body is "confident in our findings and the conclusions reached". He added that the first year had reinforced its belief that the concept is right for Formula 1.
Race it on Late Brake
Engine allowances will not help you in Late Brake, the free browser game. Try Monza, one of its six real circuits, where top speed and late braking matter most: follow the racing line, use the braking boards into the chicanes and chase a medal time.
Sources: Autosport, The Race, Motorsport.com