Reported
FIA reportedly discusses ADUO Rule changes with Fernando Alonso
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has reportedly discussed ADUO regulation changes with Fernando Alonso to aid Honda power unit progress.
FIA Eyes ADUO Rule Flexibility
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has reportedly engaged in discussions with Fernando Alonso regarding potential adjustments to Formula 1's ADUO regulations. This comes amid concerns over Honda's power unit performance and Aston Martin's AMR26 car this 2026 season. Alonso has openly criticised the current ADUO framework, which allows certain power unit manufacturers to implement upgrades. He voiced his frustrations at the recent Spanish Grand Prix.
Motorsport Week reported that Ben Sulayem is exploring avenues to modify the regulations. The aim is to address Alonso's discontent and potentially influence his future in the sport. Rumours of Alonso's impending retirement have circulated within the paddock. Ben Sulayem reportedly detailed his conversation with the Spanish driver. He placed the onus on Alonso to specify what support was required. The FIA President stated that he previously authorised improvements for Honda's engine in May. However, he requested direct input from Alonso on further necessary actions.
Driver Input Sought
Ben Sulayem recounted a shift in dialogue following his direct engagement with Alonso. He mentioned receiving a subsequent call and holding a meeting, indicating ongoing discussions. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff also commented on the ADUO mechanism. He acknowledged its purpose as a catch-up device for manufacturers. Wolff noted that Honda, despite benefiting from the ADUO formula, requires further assistance. He supported Ben Sulayem’s approach to Alonso. Wolff emphasised the importance of competitive manufacturers like Honda within Formula 1. He stated that regulatory flexibility should be a consistent approach for the FIA. This ensures all top constructors can be successful.
Valtteri Bottas, the only Finnish driver in the field, currently holds 0 points in the driver standings. Kimi Antonelli leads the championship with 219 points after 14 rounds. Lewis Hamilton is second with 169 points. George Russell is third with 160. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc sits fourth with 138 points. McLaren’s Lando Norris has 128 points. Max Verstappen is sixth with 109 points. Oscar Piastri has 92 points. Isack Hadjar has 68 points. The last race, the Spanish Grand Prix, was won by Antonelli. He finished 4.351 seconds ahead of Verstappen. This current season has seen Antonelli secure 8 wins. Russell and Norris each have 2 wins. Hamilton and Leclerc both have 1 win.
ADUO Framework Under Review
Motorsport Week indicated that the ADUO regulations were designed as a catch-up mechanism. They allow qualifying manufacturers to introduce power unit upgrades. This aims to reduce the performance gap to their rivals. Aston Martin and Honda have utilised these provisions. The performance deficit to other teams on the grid has reportedly narrowed as a result. However, Alonso’s strong criticisms suggest that the current framework is insufficient. He believes Formula 1 cannot wait for the scheduled next regulatory cycle. The discussions between Ben Sulayem and Alonso indicate the FIA's willingness to re-evaluate these rules. The intention is to maintain competitive balance and retain key figures like Alonso.
Looking Ahead to Baku
The next Formula 1 event is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The first session will commence on Thursday, September 24, at 11:30 Finnish time. This race could see further developments regarding the ADUO regulation discussions. The FIA continues to monitor power unit performance. It aims to ensure a fair and competitive environment for all teams.
Status And Sources
This story is labelled Reported, which means a newsroom we cite carries this but the people involved have not confirmed it. The rules behind those labels are in the editorial policy, and the desk that published it is Eero Lahtinen.
Written from the following reporting. Each link goes to the newsroom's own page, not to an aggregator:
- Motorsport Weekmotorsportweek.com
