Max Verstappen confirmed Red Bull are in talks with the FIA after the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) report named Dutchman's team the top power‑unit manufacturer for 2026. The FIA ranking placed Red Bull ahead of Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi and Honda, granting the latter three only one or two engine upgrades this season. Verstappen said the result surprised crew, ahead of the Spanish round.

The ADUO data shows Mercedes lag just over two percent behind Red Bull, meaning they receive a single upgrade, while Ferrari, Audi and Honda sit more than four percent back and earn two upgrades. As the benchmark engine supplier, Red Bull will not receive any upgrade this year but can tweak reliability issues. These figures will influence how each manufacturer allocates resources throughout the year.

Verstappen added the team’s first‑ever in‑house engine has proved “super impressive,” though reliability remains a challenge. He praised the crew’s drive and said Red Bull will press the FIA for clarification before Barcelona‑Catalunya. The discussion underscores how the ADUO rankings could reshape upgrade strategies for all 2026 contenders. He also noted that any upgrade advantage could tip the balance in the tightly contested championship battle.