Audi F1 boss Mattia Binotto has called on the FIA to thoroughly rethink its controversial system of additional development and evolution opportunities, the famous ADUO.
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This mechanism was designed as a safety net to help engine manufacturers struggling with the new hybrid power units, characterized by an almost 50-50 split between thermal and electric power.
But its application has caused significant controversy in the paddock.
Even in the first season
The FIA indeed only evaluates the internal combustion engine’s performance based on data recorded on track. The conclusions of this analysis created a rather surprising situation: Mercedes, which has the overall most competitive power unit on the grid, obtained additional development opportunities.
Conversely, Red Bull, struggling with its first in-house engine designed in collaboration with Ford, did not benefit from these advantages and saw its official protest rejected.
Audi also obtained the right to benefit from the measures provided by the ADUO for its first season in Formula 1. However, this did not prevent Binotto from criticizing a system he considers imperfect.
A system that does not reflect the true potential
According to the former Ferrari director, the main problem comes from the fact that the FIA bases itself exclusively on on-track performance. A car with an excellent chassis and efficient aerodynamics might therefore not need to fully exploit its engine.
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“In my opinion, the main limitation comes from the fact that only on-track performance has been measured, notes the Italo-Swiss engineer. A car with an overall advantage can afford not to fully exploit the potential of its power unit.”
Binotto notably took Mercedes as an example to illustrate the system’s potential weaknesses: “It is possible, for example, that Mercedes has an engine with greater potential, but does not need to exploit it to its limit because it already has an advantage thanks to its car. If that were the case, it could also benefit from additional development margin.”
Preserving balance in the long term
“That is why I think the regulation needs to be reconsidered on this point, he believes. This was not the initial goal of the ADUO. The aim was to help those who were really behind, not to create situations where the true potential of a power unit becomes difficult to assess.”
However, Binotto does not directly question the work done by the FIA: “Regarding the results, I do not dispute the work done by the FIA. It has all the tools and data necessary to carry out its evaluations, despite the inevitable limitations of any measurement system.”
He compares the system to the aerodynamic regulations, which grant more wind tunnel time to the lower-ranked teams: “This is how the concept of performance convergence was born: to allow those who are furthest behind to have more opportunities to catch up. It is ultimately the same principle that already exists for chassis and aerodynamics. The lower-ranked teams have more wind tunnel hours. Similarly, the engine manufacturers who are furthest behind should benefit from additional development opportunities to catch up with others and make the championship increasingly balanced.”
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