F1 needs everyone to be competitive
That the 2026 power unit regulations would leave no room for potential sporting embarrassments was a foreseeable scenario, but few would have bet that the most spectacular failure would once again fall on the Honda engine which, as already happened in 2015, is currently not even remotely competitive to the point of pushing other competitors to modify the regulations to help the Japanese giant as much as possible.
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According to the outlet The-Race.com, in fact, the possibility of modifying the regulations related to the ADUO – the system designed precisely to help struggling engine manufacturers – is being considered to give Honda further chances to recover because it benefits no one in F1 for a participant to be so disadvantaged in terms of performance.
Currently, the ADUO provides for two thresholds in terms of performance difference of 2% and 4%. Those who fall within the first threshold are entitled to introduce one improvement for 2026 and one for 2027, while those in the second are authorized to make two improvements this season and another two in the following season.
What is being discussed is revising this limit so that any manufacturer at a significant disadvantage is not limited in terms of recovery possibilities. If Honda fails to fall within the 4% improvement window during the second half of the season, for example, by revising the regulations they could be granted new freedoms in development, spending, and introduction of updates. For this regulation change to be introduced, a supermajority is required in the F1 power unit advisory committee, meaning four of the five current manufacturers, along with FOM and FIA.
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