Autobayng News Team
The FIA World Motor Sport Council has agreed changes to next year’s Formula 1 rules to help manufacturers whose power units prove uncompetitive.
The governing body of motorsport confirmed further details of the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities regulations which it will introduce in 2026, when F1’s new power unit regulations arrive.
The rules are intended to prevent any manufacturer from falling far behind the competition. The number of power unit manufacturers will increase to five next year with the return of Honda plus the arrival of Audi and Red Bull-Ford in addition to current competitors Mercedes and Ferrari. Renault will withdraw at the end of this season.
The FIA will monitor the performance of F1 teams’ power units throughout the season and have the opportunity to allocate Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities following rounds six, 12 and 18 next year. The 2026 F1 calendar will consist of 24 rounds.
The ADUO could take a number of forms, including giving manufacturers the chance to change the homologation of the power unit, relaxing the cost cap for them and granting additional development hours on power unit test benches. Cost cap relief may also be granted to manufacturers which experience “serious reliability issues that could otherwise be very damaging under the cost cap,” the FIA added.
Other minor changes were approved to F1’s technical regulations for 2026 regarding the survival cell, suspension and aerodynamic components as well as the power units.
The FIA is yet to finalise the new Concorde Agreement with Formula One Management, however it indicated the process is close to completion.
“Our close collaboration will enable the championship to continue to grow globally, attracting an ever-increasing [number] of fans and delivering a future that will enable the FIA to consolidate its role as the regulator,” said FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “Our priorities are to continue to improve safety across all our single seater series, support the pathway for young drivers and ultimately to see our beloved sport grow.”
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