Ferrari confident new F1 engine upgrade rules are robust against manipulation

Ferrari's engine chief has expressed confidence in Formula 1's new system for granting in-season power unit upgrades, dismissing concerns that rival manufacturers could manipulate their performance to gain an unfair advantage.

Why it matters:

The new Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADOU) system is a significant shift in F1's power unit development philosophy, moving from a largely frozen specification to a regulated, performance-based upgrade path. Its integrity is crucial to ensure fair competition and prevent teams from 'sandbagging'—deliberately underperforming—to earn more development tokens.

The details:

• The ADOU system evaluates the performance of all five power unit manufacturers (Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull Ford, Renault, Audi) after every sixth race in 2026 (Miami, Belgium, Singapore).
• A manufacturer lagging 2-4% behind the best-performing unit will be permitted one upgrade. A deficit greater than 4% grants permission for two upgrades.
• Enrico Gualtieri, Head of Power Unit at Ferrari, stated the team is "comfortable" with the prescribed process, calling it "robust enough" to achieve its intended goal of helping manufacturers close performance gaps.
• He acknowledged it is a new process for both the FIA and the manufacturers, requiring time to adapt, but emphasized ongoing dialogue with the governing body for any clarifications.

What's next:

The true test of the ADOU system's robustness will come during the 2026 season when real performance data is collected and the first upgrade permissions are calculated. All manufacturers, including Ferrari, will be closely monitoring the initial assessments to understand the practical application of the rules and ensure a level playing field as the new engine era unfolds.