Max Verstappen has revealed Red Bull are holding discussions with the FIA over their engine performance findings after they were named as the power unit manufacturer with the best engine.
As part of the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system, the FIA have judged the pecking order of the 2026 power unit manufacturers – Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi and Honda.
Sky Sports News has seen the document which states Mercedes are more than two per cent behind Red Bull’s power unit, so will be given one engine upgrade this year, while Ferrari, Audi and Honda will be given two upgrades as they are deemed to be more than four per cent adrift of Red Bull.
As the benchmark power unit manufacturer, Red Bull, who are making their own engine for the first time in F1, will not receive an engine upgrade.
In addition to upgrades for this season, Mercedes can have an upgrade for 2027 while Ferrari, Audi and Honda can make two upgrades.
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“I think we were all a bit surprised in the team with that,” said Verstappen ahead of this weekend’s Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
“I think we can be proud of the job we have done but it never felt like we were, let’s say, the best. That’s why we were surprised and that’s why I think we’re discussing with the FIA to understand what happened there.
“We are in close discussions with the FIA to see why or how that came along.”
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There were pre-season concerns Red Bull’s power unit would be uncompetitive given they have never made their own engine and Verstappen says it is “super impressive” what the team have done.
“Of course, we still have some reliability things, but overall, it’s honestly nice to be a part of it, and seeing the drive of the people, and what they want to do. They’re never satisfied,” he added.
“I’m also never satisfied, but they are as well, and they’re equally as disappointed when things don’t go right. So, yes, in a way, because we are proud, [but also] just a bit confused with suddenly being portrayed as the best, because we don’t feel like that.”
Verstappen: F1 regulations heading in right direction
On Wednesday, the FIA announced changes would be made to the engine regulations over the next two years.
The 2026 season has seen a near-50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power as part of the sport’s new ruleset. For the 2027 season, the split will be 58-42 for the former and will increase to 60-40 in 2028.
Verstappen has been a vocal critic of this year’s regulations and previously stated a 60-40 split was the “minimum” required to remain in the sport.
Red Bulls Max Verstappen finished third at the Canadian GP but criticised the power units, calling the racing ‘very anti-racing’ and not what Formula 1 should be about
Asked about the changes, he said: “I do think it was nice to see changes are being made already this year but also for next year.
“Of course I would have hoped next year would be what we get already in 2028. But I also understand that there are politics involved in that. At least the changes they are making are heading into the right direction, so that’s a good thing.”
Verstappen met with some of Red Bull’s senior figures in Austria before arriving in Barcelona but did not want to give anything away over their discussions.
“If there is anything new about what I’m doing, I will let you know,” said the 28-year-old.
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Russell ‘not surprised’ by ADUO findings
The ADUO result is a surprise to most people in the paddock given Mercedes have clearly had the best car and been strong on the straights during the six rounds so far.
The Silver Arrows are 79 points clear of Ferrari at the top of the Constructors’ Championship, while Red Bull are 172 points back in fourth.
George Russell said: “I wasn’t surprised because you know it all agreed with the manufacturers, the ADUO is based on the combustion side of the power unit, we knew from Barcelona [Testing], Red Bull seemingly had a really strong combustion engine
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“The performances we’ve shown recently as a team has just shown how strong our chassis is. It’s been so much talk around our engine… the engine is great, the chassis is incredible.”
However, championship leader Kimi Antonelli disagrees with his Mercedes team-mate and says he is “surprised” by the results, which are yet to be announced by the FIA themselves.
“I think our PU is very strong, but for sure there were reasons behind it,” said Antonelli, who is 68 points ahead of Russell in the Drivers’ Championship.
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“The team now will need to start working on trying to see and find where we can gain even more performance. So, it’s a process that is not going to be short term, it’s going to be a long-term process because still to find more performance on the engine takes time.
“Definitely the team has done an incredible job already with PU, and I’m sure they will put their maximum effort to try and extract even more performance now that we get this benefit.”
Sky Sports F1’s Barcelona-Catalunya GP schedule
Ahead of this weekend’s Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, we take a look back at some of the most dramatic moments from previous races at the circuit.
Friday June 12
8.50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Barcelona-Catalunya GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
1.55pm: F3 Qualifying
2.50pm: F2 Qualifying
3.35pm: Barcelona-Catalunya GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)*
5.30pm: The F1 Show
6.30pm: Team Bosses’ Press Conference
Saturday June 13
9am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Barcelona-Catalunya GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint*
2.15pm: Barcelona-Catalunya GP Qualifying build-up*
3pm: BARCELONA-CATALUNYA GP QUALIFYING*
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday June 14
7.35am: F3 Feature Race
9.05am: Porsche Supercup
10.20am: F2 Feature Race
12.30pm: Barcelona-Catalunya GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
2pm: THE BARCELONA-CATALUNYA GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Barcelona-Catalunya GP reaction: Chequered Flag
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Spain for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix with live coverage on Sky Sports F1 from Friday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
