Red Bull boss, Laurent Mekies fears that ADUO ranking will prevent team upgrading its engine this year and again in 2027.

While the FIA has yet to officially finalise its ADUO findings, some have already jumped the gun, Audi and Ferrari just two teams introducing upgraded engines this weekend.

However, Red Bull, which is said to have the most powerful internal combustion engine (ICE) remains in limbo, unable to upgrade its power unit while those manufacturers (and teams) they are already losing ground to get the green light.

"We have received preliminary information from the FIA, and we were - we are - very surprised about this preliminary information," Mekies told reporters in Austria. "We have been having very constructive discussions with the FIA ever since.

"They are doing a review," he continued, "and we are exchanging as many data as possible to make sure they get the right picture and the full picture, because not only do we feel differently about this outcome, but also it has large implications for this year and for next year.

"So, it's important, first and foremost for the sport, that we get that right, and obviously for Red Bull Racing, the impact of being on one side of the fence or on the other side of the fence will be large."

With ADUO based purely on ICE performance, it is suggested that rivals can upgrade everything but their internal combustion engines, and effectively leave Red Bull totally unable to upgrade its engine ever.

"There is a large risk there for Red Bull," admitted Mekies. "It is one of the reasons why it is vital for Red Bull, and more generally for the sport, that we get that picture right.

"Again, we are thankful to the FIA for the fact that they are taking the time to release their conclusion," he added. "And yes, you always would like to reach an earlier conclusion, but it's more important that we reach the right one, even if it takes a bit more time."

Asked if being seen as the benchmark will cause Red Bull to change its strategy, the Frenchman said: "We didn't expect that early result from the FIA. At the moment, we are not changing any strategy, because these results are not a conclusion as it stands. So, we are spending our energy to engage with the FIA to make sure they reach the right conclusion.

"Consequently, we have not changed any of our development strategy yet, but we try to get to the right answer. We try to take the time needed to get to the right answer. If it means our development needs to be moved by a few weeks, it is still a much lower consequence on the overall performance compared to getting the wrong answer and having heavy consequences both in '26 and in '27."

Asked if the inability to improve the engine, might make the timeframe too long to convince Max Verstappen to stay with the team, Mekies replied: "I think the picture you are describing is probably correct.

"We started very far away," he continued. "We have done that step in Miami, four races ago, that left us around four, five-tenths threshold, which on some tracks allows us to fight for podiums, on some tracks does not allow us to fight for podiums.

"Now, regardless of Max, that's not what we are here to do," he continued. "So, we completely know that we need more steps. This weekend is quite a crucial step to try to get much closer and to try to fight for bigger positions. It doesn't mean that everything will be resolved this weekend. It means that we will need a bit of time to get that package to work. It's very large.

"Now, whether that is influencing timing of discussions with Max, honestly, no. Max knows very well how much a Formula 1 team needs to absorb one second of deficit to competition. We hope we can get out of this weekend and be within the last two or three tenths from competition, which I think in the number of races is remarkable progression, and that's what matters at that moment, that we are able to close that gap continuously. And I'm sure that's the most important factor for all of us."

Perhaps it's time that Ford got involved and used some of its considerable power to persuade the FIA to rethink the whole ADUO mess.