Ferrari name major sticking point over key FIA lifeline to F1 teams

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has explained how the FIA's ADUO system will not be implemented until a major sticking point has been resolved.

The Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities system was formed by the FIA to allow those power unit manufacturers behind the pace-setter to receive the chance at bringing performance-related engine upgrades - something otherwise not permitted with the designs homologated.

For those within 2% of the benchmark power unit in terms of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) performance, one upgrade will be permitted this season, and then another in 2027. 

For those deemed to be 4% or more behind the benchmark, two opportunities will be available in each season. 

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, whose Mercedes HPP power unit is the current benchmark, has expressed his concerns that the system could be used to enable one PUM to leapfrog the others, but remains supportive of the system.

However, there is uncertainty over when the ADUO process will be enacted, caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix and the wording of F1's technical regulations, which state ADUO will come into force after round six of the season.

This was supposed to be after the Miami Grand Prix in the original schedule, but is now set to be following the Monaco GP in June, as Vasseur explained. 

"The situation is crystal clear, and the only open point perhaps is that, as we said, [ADUO would apply] was after [race] six," Vasseur told media, including RacingNews365. 

"Is it race six of the initial calendar or race six of the new calendar? But on the mechanism, what you can do, the dyno hours, and so on, this is crystal clear. 

"The parameters to consider the performance are also clear from day one, and I don’t see any issue with the current situation.

"Now we have to trust the FIA. They will come back to us with numbers soon, and we have to rely on this. 

"But at the end of the day, we are speaking about percent and I know perfectly that it’s not easy to assess, but if you have an overall look at the straight-line speed, it’s yeah, ok…"