SPIELBERG, Austria — Red Bull faces “a large risk” of not being able to update its current engine for some time if the current Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) results stand, team principal Laurent Mekies said during Friday’s news conference.Following the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, news broke that Red Bull was deemed to have the best internal combustion engine, which is just one component of a Formula 1 power unit. The other major component of the PU is the battery, which has become more significant this season with the 50/50 split between the ICE and electrical power.There are three review periods across the 2026 season, the first of which covered Australia, China, Japan, Miami and Canada. The FIA had 14 days to analyze the results and determine who had the best ICE and how far its competitors were behind the benchmark.Mercedes was found to be at least 2 percent, but less than 4 percent, behind Red Bull’s ICE, which means it’s eligible for two upgrades — one this season and one next campaign. The remainder of the engine manufacturers were found to be at least 4 percent or more behind Red Bull, which means it will receive two upgrades this season and two next season.The results caught Red Bull off guard, something Mekies reiterated on Friday in Austria. In wake of the news, the Milton Keynes-based team requested a review, which the FIA is obliged to do.“We have received preliminary information from the FIA, and yes, we were, and we are very surprised about these preliminary informations,” Mekies said Friday. “We have been having very, very constructive discussions with the FIA ever since. They are doing a review.”The team principal also revealed the team is sharing as much data as it can with the FIA to ensure the governing body gets “the right pictures and the full pictures” given the large-scale implications. This not only will impact Red Bull’s 2026 season but also the 2027 campaign if the results stay as is.While the ADUO results haven’t been formally announced to the public, the teams did receive a document a few weeks ago with the initial findings. Since then, both Audi and Ferrari have begun bringing in their upgrades.According to the regulations, the upgrades that can be made aren’t restricted to just the ICE. Permitted updates cover a wide range of power unit-related components: the block, cylinder heads, crankshaft, camshafts, combustion chamber geometry, pistons, connecting rods, throttle systems and the entire exhaust system. Manufacturers can also tweak turbochargers, wastegates, sensors, spark plugs, fuel injectors, pneumatic valves and engine cooling systems.“There is a large risk there for Red Bull,” Mekies said, later adding, “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. And again, we are thankful to the FIA for the fact that they are taking the time to release their conclusion.”Mekies coy on Verstappen’s futureOnce again, one of the talking points regarding the drivers’ market is whether or not Verstappen will remain with Red Bull (or in F1) come next season. The Dutchman has been highly critical of the new cars this season, though tweaks to the regulations have been made. He said in Spain that these developments were “heading in the right direction” for his future.Mekies faced questions about Verstappen’s future, and he didn’t exactly give a straight answer whether the 28-year-old had said he’d remain with the team for 2027.“I think the last time I was in this press conference, I think I said that I’m not asking Max every week if he’s going to stay,” the team boss said. “Max has made clear to us that he wants to continue with the team. It’s equally clear that he needs a fast car for him to be happy with the team. You may recall also that he has been vocal about the progress that we needed to have on the regulations.”Mekies went on to point out the regulation tweaks coming in 2027 and 2028, which involve the ICE to electrical power ratio changing. But he maintained that Red Bull isn’t asking Verstappen about his future every week.“He’s pushing with us, he’s helping us to find the right development path for the car, again this morning doing very large test scans through the sessions to try to turn all the stones possible,” Mekies said. “So, it’s not a topic for us. The topic for us is get the car back to where we want it to be. And as you may, I hope, agree, if the car is back where we want it to be, there will be no discussion.”Whether or not he has a fast car has always been a key part of Verstappen’s decision. Red Bull is bringing a notable upgrade package to Austria, with Mekies saying the last time it brought a package this notable was in Miami last month.