The ADUO system (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities), implemented to allow the least performing engine manufacturers to reduce their gap, could already evolve.
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Nikolas Tombazis, FIA’s single-seater director, acknowledges that the system does not satisfy everyone, even though he defends the accuracy of the measurements taken : “In Formula 1, almost everything seems to be extremely sensitive. So it is very rare to have eleven teams and five or six engine manufacturers saying: ‘Fantastic, we all agree.’ ”
“Everyone is so competitive and focused on their relative position compared to others… I think our measurements have proven to be very accurate ” he praises.
The FIA rules out the risk of manipulation
The Greek engineer admits, however, that the current operation is not perfect: “Did everything work well? No, because obviously, some are not satisfied… Should we think about improvements in the future? Yes, I think so.”
One of the concerns is the possibility for a manufacturer to deliberately reduce the performance of their engine during evaluations in order to obtain more development opportunities.
Tombazis considers this strategy unlikely, as it would require an engine manufacturer to directly sacrifice their on-track performance: “What is the use of these opportunities if their ultimate goal is not to allow you to be at the top?”
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On Honda’s side, which currently benefits from additional development opportunities, the judgment is much more positive.
Honda satisfied with the system
“I think the number we have received from the FIA seems reasonable. I would say this number is fair”, said Shintaro Orihara, Honda’s general manager of track operations.
The Japanese manufacturer now uses these additional opportunities to accelerate the development of its power unit, considered the least performing on the grid.
Orihara nevertheless believes that the effectiveness of ADUO must be evaluated across all engine manufacturers: “It works well for Honda, but we must continue to monitor its operation for all manufacturers. The system must be fair.”
For now, Honda therefore considers ADUO fair, while the FIA acknowledges that adjustments may be necessary in the future to ensure a system accepted by all engine manufacturers.
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