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FIA tweaks 2026 rules to support underperforming engine suppliers

20:01, 16 Oct
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Following the latest WMSC meeting, the FIA approved minor updates to the 2026 Technical Regulations as well as to the ADUO concept.

Specifically, the changes concern the "survival cell, suspension, aerodynamic components and Power Unit, to the Power Unit Financial Regulations and to the Operational Regulations."

The FIA mentioned the ADUO concept (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities), a system aimed at supporting power unit manufacturers who are notably trailing their competitors by granting them expanded possibilities for development and performance upgrades.

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Ben Sulayem during the British Grand Prix in Silverstone - Photo: Race Pictures

Specifically, after the sixth, twelfth, and eighteenth races, ADUO may be granted based on three criteria:

  • Additional possibilities to change the homologation of the Power Unit
  • Extra cost cap relief
  • Additional development hours on the PU test benches

Finally, the FIA explained that "measures were introduced to provide cost cap relief to a PU Manufacturer who could find themselves facing serious reliability issues, that could otherwise be very damaging under the cost cap."

Is Honda lagging behind other PU manufacturers?

After its successful partnership with Red Bull comes to an end at the close of this season, Honda will begin a new collaboration with Aston Martin — one it hopes can be just as fruitful. The British outfit is seen as one of the fastest-rising teams on the grid, especially following the arrival of Adrian Newey and other high-profile technical figures.

The challenge, of course, will be far from easy given the major regulatory changes and the uncertainty surrounding them. However, Aston Martin can rely on a proven and solid partner in the Japanese manufacturer.

When asked by GPblog about how the partnership with Honda and the development of the 2026 power unit are progressing, Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell said: "I spent two days in Japan visiting Sakura, Honda's development centre.

"(We had) good meetings. it's encouraging to see the work that they're doing. Chasing performance, chasing reliability, chasing all the things that help make a quick race car. And also we had Aramco Valvoline (technical partner and lubrificant supplier e.d) there as well.

"So the opportunity for Aston Martin, Honda, Aramco, Valvoline to talk about the project and how we're progressing and what to do to keep developing one."

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