(Motorsport-Total.com) – Audi has set the pace and even surprised industry insiders. The FIA informed the Formula 1 teams of the results of the ADUO assessments at the end of the first measurement period (from the Australian Grand Prix to Canada) during the weekend in Monaco.
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No one had expected that among the engine manufacturers benefiting from ADUO, someone would already be ready to use an updated version of their power unit at the following Formula 1 weekend in Barcelona.
For this reason, the mandatory FIA announcement on Friday listing the cars with new engine components went almost unnoticed.
Besides Max Verstappen – who had to change the power unit after a failure on the starting grid in Monaco – the Audis of Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto also went on track with a new combustion engine and a new turbocharger.
Almost two weeks later, the Italian edition of Motorsport.com learned that the Audi units used in Barcelona contained some, though not fundamental, changes aimed primarily at better drivability.
This is the first ever case where an updated power unit was used utilizing the possibilities of the new ADUO regulations.
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The speed with which Audi responded to the FIA announcement received in Monte Carlo surprised the experts and confirms that the work between Ingolstadt and Hinwil had already been underway for some time.
The engines were practically already finished and were only waiting for the approval of the world federation before being brought directly to the paddock in Barcelona.
The intervention seen in Spain represents only the first step of a development program that is to continue throughout the season, as Audi still has further updates for the power unit.
The doubts expressed by Red Bull Powertrains – described as the engine manufacturer with the most powerful combustion engine – prompted the world federation to review the ADUO evaluation process.
However, the ranking transmitted by the FIA was not suspended and remains valid until further notice, subject to possible new announcements.
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