Red Bull has challenged the FIA’s decision to designate its 2026 Formula One engine as the performance benchmark, a status that allows rival teams additional development scope under cost cap regulations [1, 2]. The news first emerged during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend in late May, when several team sources said they were informed that Red Bull’s engine was being used as the standard against which others would be measured [1, 2].
Red Bull, running its own engine for the first time in 2026 in partnership with Ford, has struggled this season. Mercedes has won all six races to date, while Red Bull’s best results have been two third-place finishes [1, 2]. This has raised questions within Red Bull about the validity of the FIA’s benchmark designation.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s lead driver, expressed surprise at the announcement at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in mid-June: "We were all a little bit surprised with that news. I guess that’s why we’re talking to the FIA now to see what happened there, how they came to that conclusion. There’s not much more to say right now. That’s what they’re looking at. We just feel surprised because we don't feel like we are the best" [1].
Teammate Isack Hadjar also highlighted the disconnect between results and the benchmark claim: "I was checking if we won the first six races of the year, you know, and we didn’t, so... It's provisional... and nothing has been officialised yet. So when it's time to take the final decision, let's see what they say" [1].
According to FIA rules under the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO), any power unit found to be at least 2% behind the best performing engine during the season can receive upgrades. Red Bull’s benchmark status effectively means that its engine sets the performance threshold other manufacturers must try to match or exceed to qualify for upgrades [1, 2].
The FIA has not yet confirmed or published any official findings regarding the engine benchmark designation or the process behind it [1, 2]. Rival teams could benefit from the increased development leeway if Red Bull’s engine remains the benchmark despite its comparatively weaker race performance.
The next key development will come as the FIA reviews and clarifies its benchmark determination ahead of the upcoming Grand Prix rounds later this month.