Laurent Mekies, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has pushed back against rumors suggesting that his squad possesses the most powerful power unit in the Formula 1 grid. He clarified that Red Bull does not currently hold the benchmark engine and that the team is hoping to benefit from the upcoming development window provided by the new Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) scheme introduced for the 2026 season. The ADUO provision is a performance‑balancing tool embedded in the 2026 technical regulations.
It grants manufacturers whose internal combustion engines (ICE) lag the leading unit by at least two percent the chance to introduce upgrades during predefined periods. The intention is to keep the competition tighter and prevent a single power‑train supplier from running away with the championship. Originally, the first ADUO window was slated to open after the Miami Grand Prix, but the schedule may be altered because the opening two rounds – Bahrain and Saudi Arabia – were cancelled amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
This uncertainty adds another layer of complexity for teams that are already scrambling to understand where they stand relative to the front‑runners. Mercedes has dominated the opening three events, sitting comfortably at the top of the constructors' standings with a 119‑point cushion over Red Bull, who find themselves in sixth place.
Despite this gap, several media outlets have speculated that Red Bull’s ICE might actually be the strongest on the grid, a notion that would make the team eligible for ADUO assistance. Mekies dismissed this idea outright when speaking to Sky Sports News. "Is our engine at the level of the very best? Absolutely not," he said.
"Do we hope to be in the group that can receive the chance to catch up? Yes, we certainly do." Mekies echoed the sentiments of Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, who has argued that ADUO should be used to close gaps rather than to create new ones.
Wolff believes the rule is designed for manufacturers that are falling behind, not for those looking to leapfrog the competition. Mekies agreed, emphasizing that Mercedes appears to have the superior ICE at present. The ADUO framework outlines three distinct periods during the season when eligible teams can introduce upgrades. To qualify, a manufacturer must be measured as at least two percent slower in ICE performance than the leading unit.
Wolff has suggested that Honda, which supplies Aston Martin’s power unit, is the only constructor that truly needs the extra development allowance, while Red Bull, Ferrari and Audi are roughly on par with Mercedes. In a separate interview with the written press, Mekies estimated that Mercedes enjoys a lap‑time advantage of about three‑tenths of a second over Red Bull, attributing a large portion of that margin to the German team’s ICE. He explained, "Mercedes is clearly ahead of most of us. Honda is particularly behind, while Ferrari and Audi are probably close to us.
Extracting comparable combustion‑engine performance across all teams is a complex task, and the current results give us the fairest picture of where everyone stands." Red Bull’s sluggish start to the season has fueled speculation about the future of four‑time world champion Max Verstappen with the team. Verstappen has voiced his dissatisfaction with the 2026 regulations and hinted at the possibility of stepping away from Formula 1 after the season concludes.
Mekies, however, remains optimistic that the forthcoming upgrades will give Verstappen a car capable of showcasing his talent and restoring his confidence. "The Max we see is a fully committed Max.
He wants a fast car and he is helping the team to get a fast car. He is putting all his energy into that," Mekies said.
He added that Verstappen’s passion for the sport is evident, noting that the driver has been vocal when he feels improvements are necessary. Looking ahead to the Miami Grand Prix, Mekies believes the regulatory changes and upcoming upgrades could provide a step forward.
"He is embracing the upcoming changes. Whether it will be enough remains to be seen, but we have time to evaluate that together," Mekies explained.
He stressed that the priority is to deliver a car that Verstappen can push consistently, even if it does not immediately translate into podium finishes. "We gave him and Isack a very difficult car in the first three races.
Now we need to give him a car he can consistently push. It may not be fast enough for wins right away, but it will allow him to unleash his 'Max effect' and we can build development from there," Mekies continued. He expressed confidence that, even if the upgrades are not fully ready for Miami, the team will identify and address the underlying limitations just as they did last season.
"You will see more and more smiles on Max’s face as we get to the bottom of our issues," he concluded. Formula 1 will return on May 1‑3 for the Miami Grand Prix, which also marks the season’s second Sprint weekend, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
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