Heading into the F1 Barcelona-Catalunya GP this weekend, Max Verstappen has shared his thoughts on Red Bull seemingly boasting the best-performing ICE in 2026 under the ADUO mechanism and the additional power unit changes that are coming in the next two seasons.
The FIA reportedly informed the engine manufacturers and the teams on Monaco GP race day of the provisional Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) rankings, with Red Bull Ford’s newly built power unit being classified as the benchmark from the first review period.
Surprisingly, Mercedes, who have won every single race thus far in the 2026 F1 season, was deemed more than 2% adrift of the Milton Keynes outfit.
Therefore, Red Bull have requested a review of the rankings, and the FIA will conduct further checks and officially publish F1’s first ADUO results once the process is complete.
Verstappen confirms Red Bull’s clarification request in light of ADUO results before Barcelona-Catalunya GP
Speaking in a print media session ahead of the 2026 Barcelona-Catalunya GP, Max Verstappen addressed the fact that the FIA has placed Red Bull’s power unit ahead of Mercedes’s in the first ADUO rankings.
Expressing incredulity, the Dutchman confirmed that they are in conversation with the FIA and have demanded clarification regarding how they identified Red Bull’s Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) as F1’s benchmark.
“I think we were all a little bit surprised with that news.
“I guess that’s why we’re talking to the FIA now, to see what happened there, how they came to that conclusion, I guess. There’s not much more to say now.
“Yeah, that’s what they’re looking at.”
In terms of the FIA calculating the ADUO eligibility using the ICE Performance Index and whether he believes the upgrade system works as intended, Verstappen cast doubt on the accuracy of the measurements and reiterated how surprised Red Bull were to find out the results.
“I mean, I was also not involved in this thing today. So, I think it’s better if you ask someone else how accurate it actually is in the measurements. For us, it’s just a surprise what came out.”
Verstappen on the agreed power unit changes in the next two seasons
On June 10, the FIA announced that F1 and its key stakeholders have agreed to a gradual increase in power from the ICE to mitigate energy management concerns across the next two seasons, with the sport committing to a 60-40 split in 2028.
Asked if the agreement to hit the 60-40 split between the ICE and the MGU-K by 2028 is a good idea, Max Verstappen stated that he is appreciative of the FIA already making certain tweaks to the technical regulations during the ongoing season and the next. However, he also remarked that he would’ve liked F1’s global governing body to have already enforced the 60-40 split next year.
Although he acknowledged the political motivations that influence the process of the overhaul and the time it takes, Verstappen conceded in Thursday’s print media session that the 2026 F1 regulations are moving in the right direction.
“I mean, I do think that it was nice to see that changes are being made, of course, already this year, but then also for next year.
“Of course, I would have hoped that next year would have been already, let’s say, what we get in 2028. But I also, of course, understand that there are some types of politics involved for that.
“But at least the changes that they are making are heading into the right direction. So, I guess that’s it. That’s a good thing.”
Verstappen proud but also confused ahead of Barcelona-Catalunya GP that Red Bull apparently have the best engine in 2026
With regard to whether the Red Bull Ford Powertrains have exceeded expectations in their maiden season as a power unit manufacturer, Max Verstappen maintained in the lead-up to the 2026 Barcelona-Catalunya GP that they don’t reckon they have the benchmark power unit, regardless of what the ADUO results might suggest.
While he acknowledged the reliability woes, the 28-year-old also added how commendable it is to have developed a decent engine in their first year as a manufacturer.
Elaborating on how the entire team strives for perfection, Verstappen ultimately accepted that they are proud of the work they have put into the project so far. At the same time, he alluded to their overall performance in the first five rounds of the 2026 F1 season and restated how bewildered they are by the FIA’s evaluation that Red Bull’s ICE is the strongest on the grid.
“It’s a bit double, I guess, at the moment. Because maybe from the outside, you should say, yes, that’s amazing. But we just feel surprised because we don’t feel like we are the best.
“I think, of course, it’s super impressive what they have done. If you look at it, we’re definitely not the worst out there. And it’s super impressive, of course, in such a short time frame what they 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. And they’re never satisfied. I’m also never satisfied. And they’re equally as disappointed when things don’t go right.
“So, yes, in a way, of course, we are proud. We’re just a bit confused with something being portrayed as the best. Because we don’t feel like that.”
