Story perspectives

FIA names Red Bull benchmark, grants upgrades to rivals.

6/13/2026

Summary

Red Bull Appeals

FIA named Red Bull Powertrains the benchmark ICE and denied it ADUO upgrades.
FIA sent ADUO rankings to all five power-unit makers on Sunday of the Monaco Grand Prix.
Red Bull has asked FIA to review the data and methodology that placed its engine ahead of Mercedes.
Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda and Audi each received one or two ADUO upgrades for falling more than 2 % or 4 % behind the benchmark.

Summary

Hamilton Credits Downforce

Lewis Hamilton said his Monaco gap came from downforce, not engine, and noted a package in Montreal.
Sergio Perez said Cadillac will use Barcelona to gauge progress and does not expect competitiveness as in Monaco and Canada.
Honda Track Engineering Chief Shintaro Orihara said FIA ADUO findings match Honda’s expectations of the order.
Sergio Perez praised Red Bull’s rapid engine development but questioned being called the best, noting reliability problems.

History

Historical Context

In 2014 the FIA replaced 2.4-L V8s with 1.6-L V6 turbo-hybrid units, capping fuel flow at 100 kg per hour and adding kinetic and heat recovery systems; Mercedes exploited the rule change to claim the first hybrid championship. The 2026 power-unit ranking of Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda and Audi now revives that rivalry, prompting fresh transparency disputes.

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Red Bull Appeals

FIA named Red Bull Powertrains the benchmark ICE and denied it ADUO upgrades.
FIA sent ADUO rankings to all five power-unit makers on Sunday of the Monaco Grand Prix.
Red Bull has asked FIA to review the data and methodology that placed its engine ahead of Mercedes.
Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda and Audi each received one or two ADUO upgrades for falling more than 2 % or 4 % behind the benchmark.

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