Red Bull Ford Powertrains technical director Ben Hodgkinson opposes Formula 1’s new Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system. He prefers a “gloves-off fight” between power unit manufacturers. This system aims to level the playing field as F1 transitions to new 2026 engine regulations, which mandate a near-50:50 split between combustion and electric power.

F1 introduced ADUO to prevent a dominant manufacturer from running away with the championship under the complex new rules. The governing body wants to avoid a repeat of past eras where one team’s power unit advantage dictated title outcomes. Red Bull’s stance reflects a broader debate within the paddock about balancing competition with technical freedom.

The 2026 regulations represent a major shift, with teams like Red Bull Ford building entirely new power units. How F1 manages development parity will be critical. The sport must decide if ADUO achieves its goal or if it stifles innovation. All eyes will be on how the system impacts on-track performance when the new era begins.