Lewis Hamilton appears to get the jump on the FIA by revealing its decision regarding engine upgrades.

Following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi events, the first assessment of the 2026 power units followed the recent Canadian Grand Prix, and speaking in the moments after finishing second in Monaco, the seven-time world champion revealed the results.

"I think the news came out either yesterday or today that Red Bull have the most powerful engine (ICE), Mercedes second, and then we're behind," he told Sky Sports.

"So, we've now got these tokens to try and develop and close the gap," he added. "But that's like an eight-to-ten-month project, so it's not something we can just do next week," he added. "We'll be pushing as hard as we can to see how we can close it out."

Under the regulations, any manufacturer between 2-4% behind the best ICE in terms of pure power will be allowed an upgrade for this year and 2027, while its development budget allowance will increase. Should the deficit exceed 4%, as is the case with Honda, two upgrades will be allowed together with a larger cost cap allowance.

The FIA has stressed that as opposed to a balance-of-performance, a levelling of the playing field, ADUO allows those manufacturers eligible with the ability to develop their engines through additional homologation opportunities, in terms of increased testing and cost cap relief.

Other than the shock of the Red Bull engine being adjudged as the best - tell that to Max Verstappen - the initial assessment means that championship leaders Mercedes and runners-up Ferrari both qualify for upgrades, the German manufacturer is allowed one upgrade as it is 2% adrift of Red Bull, and Ferrari two because it is 4% adrift of the Austrian manufacturer.

Mercedes will also be allowed an additional $3m to its cost cap and an extra 70 hours of bench testing, while it is unclear where exactly Ferrari fits in. However, manufacturers 4-6% adrift get $4.65m and 100 bench hours, those 6-8% adrift get $6.35m and 150 hours, and anyone 8-10% off is allowed $8m and 190 hours.

However, last month it was announced that for 2026 only, and with an eye on Honda, a new 10% (difference) band has been introduced, which allows for 230 extra hours on the test bench and an $11m cost-cap adjustment.

Check out our Sunday gallery from Monaco here.