FIA confirm further revisions to F1 engine rules

The FIA has confirmed it has adjusted the regulations covering ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) following a significant change to the race calendar.

Ahead of the new season, the FIA introduced the system, designed to provide additional support to any engine manufacturer lagging behind the benchmark.

The measure comes at the start of a new regulation cycle, with newly developed power units introduced this year.

The FIA had previously confirmed there would be three review points during the season to assess engine performance after rounds six, 12 and 18.

However, the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix has provisionally reduced the calendar to 22 rounds.

In response, the FIA has adjusted the ADUO review periods, with the first now scheduled to take place after round five in Canada.

The second review will occur after round 11, currently set to be the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The final review remains scheduled after round 18, the Mexico City Grand Prix.

In a further change, those who are deemed to be more than 10 per cent behind the benchmark will be granted 230 extra development hours.

At the start of the season, it quickly became clear that Honda was significantly trailing the benchmark on its return to F1 and is one manufacturer almost certain to benefit from ADUO.

While power unit manufacturers support the system, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has warned it should be used solely to help a competitor catch up, rather than to influence the competitive order.