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Mercedes Confirms No ADUO F1 Engine Upgrade Coming
Highlights
- Mercedes will not use ADUO token for engine upgrades now.
- FIA rates Mercedes ICE at least 2% slower than Red Bull.
- Mercedes focused on reliability, not performance, at Red Bull Ring.
- Fresh engines improved responsiveness but no formal upgrades included.
- FIA to review power unit performance between June and July.
- Red Bull risks upgrade restrictions if rivals do not improve.
Mercedes will not spend its ADUO token on power unit upgrades, despite introducing fresh engines at the Austrian Grand Prix. The decision prioritises stability over short‑term gains.
FIA measurements place Mercedes’ internal combustion engine at least 2% behind Red Bull’s benchmark. That status unlocks development allowances, including one homologation this year and another in 2027.
FIA rates Mercedes’ ICE at least 2% slower than Red Bull.
Rivals Ferrari and Audi have already deployed ADUO tokens. Mercedes instead focuses on reliability, preferring to optimise usage and learning before committing to a limited, once‑permitted specification change.
In Austria, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli fitted new internal combustion engines, turbochargers, batteries, and control electronics. None were performance upgrades; they were lifecycle resets and durability revisions.
Particular attention targets the batteries and control electronics to avoid repeat issues seen by Russell in Canada and Antonelli in Barcelona, detailed in Mercedes’ recent battery upgrade.
Mercedes’ Austria power unit changes emphasised reliability, not performance, per the team.
The fresher units reduce wear and allow more aggressive deployment without added risk. Toto Wolff says the engines feel more responsive but do not constitute an official performance upgrade.
Mercedes plans no engine improvements this season, keeping its specification. That complicates Red Bull, which needs a rival 2% faster to access ADUO upgrades. Laurent Mekies warns of a trap.
The FIA reviews power unit performance from Monaco to Hungary, checking if rankings shift enough to alter eligibility, as set out in its ADUO ruling.
FIA review between Monaco and Hungary will determine fresh upgrade eligibility.
Mercedes’ customers will phase in new elements over coming races. The manufacturer banks on dependable running, while debate continues about ADUO system flaws and competitive balance.
Visual Summary
Mercedes: Power Reserved
No Engine Upgrade Token Deployed
No Engine Upgrade Token Deployed
🚀
Ferrari/Audi
Upgrade Deployed
Ferrari/Audi
Upgrade Deployed
⚡
Mercedes
Power Reserved
Mercedes
Power Reserved
🔒
Red Bull
Upgrade Blocked
Red Bull
Upgrade Blocked
Focus: Reliability Tweaks at Austrian GP
1
2
3
Fresh Engines
+ Components
Reliability
Focus
Power Preserved
No Token
+ Components
Reliability
Focus
Power Preserved
No Token
Mercedes Engine 2% Off Red Bull Benchmark
FIA allows extra upgrades.
Mercedes chooses patience, focusing on rock-solid reliability.
Mercedes chooses patience, focusing on rock-solid reliability.
What’s Next?
Next FIA review: Monaco – Hungary
Red Bull can’t upgrade unless rivals move first — a development race in suspense.
Next FIA review: Monaco – Hungary
Red Bull can’t upgrade unless rivals move first — a development race in suspense.
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
