Laurent Mekies, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has publicly dismissed the notion that his squad currently possesses the most powerful power unit on the Formula One grid. He stressed that the team does not consider its engine to be the benchmark of performance, but he also expressed optimism that the upcoming Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) window will give Red Bull a chance to close any existing gaps. The 2026 technical regulations introduce a new balancing mechanism known as ADUO.
This provision is designed to grant extra development allowances to any manufacturer whose internal combustion engine (ICE) falls at least two percent behind the leading unit in terms of performance. In practice, this means that teams lagging by that margin can work on specific upgrades during predefined periods, with the aim of narrowing the competitive disparity without allowing a sudden leapfrog over the frontrunners.
Originally, the first ADUO window was slated to open after the Miami Grand Prix, the second sprint‑type event of the season. However, the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds – both of which were called off because of escalating conflict in the Middle East – may push the opening of that window to a later date. The schedule now leaves some uncertainty about when exactly the teams will be permitted to implement the extra upgrades. Mercedes has dominated the opening three races, leading the championship by 119 points ahead of Red Bull, which currently sits sixth in the standings.
Despite this clear points gap, some media outlets have speculated that Red Bull’s ICE might actually be the strongest on the grid, a claim that would make the team eligible for ADUO assistance. Mekies rejected that speculation, telling Sky Sports News: "Is it at the level of the very best? Absolutely not." He continued, "Do we expect to be in the group that can be given the possibility to catch up? Yes, we certainly hope to be in that category." Mekies echoed the sentiment expressed by Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, who has argued that ADUO should be used to help lagging manufacturers catch up rather than to allow them to overtake the leaders in one giant leap.
Mekies was unequivocal in his view that Mercedes still holds the superior ICE. The ADUO framework outlines three distinct periods throughout the season when eligible teams can introduce upgrades.
To qualify, a manufacturer must be measured as at least two percent slower than the best‑performing ICE, according to the FIA’s assessment methodology. Wolff has suggested that only Honda – which supplies Aston Martin’s power unit – truly needs the extra development allowance, while Red Bull, Ferrari and the newly‑entered Audi are roughly on par with Mercedes. In a separate written interview, Mekies estimated that Mercedes enjoys a lap‑time advantage of roughly three‑tenths of a second over Red Bull, attributing a substantial portion of that margin to the German team’s superior internal combustion engine. He explained, "What we see is certainly Mercedes, a long way ahead of most of us.
And yes, you're right, one guy – Honda – is particularly behind. The other guys are probably quite close to us, Ferrari and Audi, and fair enough, Honda is probably struggling a bit more." Mekies acknowledged the difficulty of extracting a perfectly balanced level of ICE performance across all teams, noting that the current results likely provide the most accurate picture of where each manufacturer stands relative to the others. Red Bull’s sluggish start to the year has also fueled speculation about the future of four‑time world champion Max Verstappen with the team. Verstappen has voiced dissatisfaction with the 2026 regulations and hinted in Japan that he may contemplate leaving Formula 1 after the season ends.
Mekies, however, remains confident that the forthcoming upgrades will give Verstappen a car capable of showcasing his talent and reigniting his enthusiasm. "The Max we see is a fully committed Max. He wants a fast car and he's helping the team to get a fast car. He's bringing all his energy to that," Mekies said.
He added that Verstappen’s passion for the sport is evident, especially when he raises concerns about performance shortfalls. "We have a step forward for the regulations coming for Miami. He's embracing that. Will it be enough?
We have time to see together if it's going to be enough or not." Mekies emphasized that the priority is to provide Verstappen with a car he can consistently push, noting that the first three races presented a particularly challenging package for both him and teammate Isack Hadjar. "It doesn't mean it will be fast enough for positions immediately, but it means he can start to bring his 'Max effect' and we can start to build development onto that car," Mekies explained.
He expressed confidence that, even if the upgrades are not fully realised by the Miami event, the team will identify and eliminate the factors limiting performance, just as they did in the previous season. "You will see more and more smile on Max's face," he concluded.
The Miami Grand Prix, scheduled for May 1‑3, will be the second sprint weekend of the season and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Fans can stream the race via NOW without a long‑term contract, cancelling at any time.
The event will also serve as a key test of how effectively Red Bull can utilise the ADUO provisions to narrow the gap to Mercedes and re‑establish itself as a genuine title contender for 2026.