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F1 Poised for Miami Reset After Cancellations as ADUO Engine Upgrades Near

A rare five-week gap with expected engine concessions could shrink Mercedes' early advantage.

Overview

  • Two April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were canceled, creating a long pause that teams are using to ready major Miami upgrade packages.
  • FIA’s ADUO rule allows in‑season power‑unit upgrades if a manufacturer is measured to be about two percent down, and paddock expectations point to approvals that could boost Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Audi.
  • Kimi Antonelli, who leads the drivers’ standings for Mercedes, said on Italian TV that Ferrari has been granted ADUO latitude, though the FIA has not confirmed specific recipients.
  • Toto Wolff cautioned that Mercedes’ edge is already narrowing as rivals learn energy harvesting and deployment, with Suzuka showing McLaren and Ferrari using smarter power use to challenge on track.
  • Analysts say Red Bull’s late‑2025 development push left its 2026 chassis hard to drive, while Ferrari targets a stronger Miami with new aero, and Antonelli plans intensive start practice and tests to shore up his own weak getaways.