Laurent Mekies, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has pushed back against rumours suggesting that his squad possesses the most powerful power unit in the Formula One grid. He clarified that the team does not currently enjoy the very best internal combustion engine (ICE) and therefore hopes to be eligible for the extra development window that the new 2026 regulations provide. The 2026 rulebook introduces a performance‑balancing tool known as Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO). This mechanism is designed to give manufacturers that lag by at least two percent behind the leading ICE a chance to close the gap through targeted upgrades.
The first ADUO window was slated to open after the Miami Grand Prix, but the schedule may shift because the opening two rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled amid Middle‑East tensions. Mercedes has dominated the opening three races, sitting atop the championship with a 119‑point lead over Red Bull, who currently sit sixth. Despite this disparity, some media outlets have speculated that Red Bull’s ICE might actually be the strongest, a claim that would make the team ineligible for ADUO assistance. Mekies dismissed that notion when speaking to Sky Sports News, stating, "Is it at the level of the very best?
Absolutely not. So, do we expect to be in that group that can be given the possibility to catch up? Yes, we certainly hope to be in that category." He echoed Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s view that ADUO should be a tool for catching up rather than for leap‑frogging rivals. Mekies was explicit that, in his assessment, the Silver Arrows still hold the advantage in ICE performance.
The ADUO framework outlines three distinct periods during the season when manufacturers that fall two percent behind the top ICE can receive extra development allowances. Wolff has suggested that Honda, which supplies Aston Martin’s power unit, is the only manufacturer that truly needs the ADUO boost. He placed Red Bull, Ferrari and Audi in a similar performance bracket to Mercedes, implying they are all relatively close to the leader.
Mekies, in a separate written interview, estimated Mercedes’ edge over Red Bull to be roughly three‑tenths of a second per lap, attributing a large portion of that gap to the German team’s superior ICE. 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. To extract the right combustion‑engine performance in a fair way across the teams is very difficult. I think overall results are probably giving you the best, the most fair picture, of where everybody is at." Red Bull’s shaky start to the season has fueled speculation about the future of four‑time world champion Max Verstappen with the team beyond the current year.
Verstappen, who has voiced dissatisfaction with the 2026 regulations, hinted in Japan that he might consider leaving Formula 1 at the end of the season. Mekies, however, remains optimistic that upcoming upgrades will give Verstappen a car capable of showcasing his talent and reviving 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’s passionate about the sport. As you said, he raised his voice when he felt things needed to be done. 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." He continued, "We are conscious that the priority is to give him a car he can push with. This has little to do with the regs.
We knew we gave him and Isack (Hadjar) a very difficult car in the first three races, and we need to give him a car he can consistently push with. After that, it may not be fast enough for podium positions, but it will allow him to unleash his ‘Max effect’ and we can start to build development onto that car. I have every confidence that things may not be fixed for Miami, but the team will get to the bottom of what is limiting us, as we did last year, and you will see more and more smiles on Max’s face." The ADUO system, by design, aims to keep the competition tight by offering a safety valve for teams that fall behind.
It is not intended to create a sudden leap in performance that would upset the competitive balance. Instead, it provides a structured opportunity for engineering teams to refine their ICEs, improve thermal efficiency, and extract additional horsepower within regulated limits. Looking ahead, the Miami Grand Prix, scheduled for May 1‑3, will host the season’s second Sprint weekend. It will be a crucial test for Red Bull to see whether the early upgrades can narrow the gap to Mercedes and whether the ADUO provisions will come into play.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available through NOW without a long‑term contract. In summary, Red Bull’s leadership acknowledges that their current power unit does not match the absolute best on the grid.
They are therefore keen to qualify for the ADUO upgrade window, hoping to use the extra development time to enhance their engine performance, support Max Verstappen’s drive for victories, and keep the championship battle as close as possible throughout the 2026 season.