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 part, which is just one component of a Formula 1 engine. The other major component of the engine is the battery, which has become more significant this season with the near 50/50 split between the ICE and electrical systems delivering a car’s power.There are three review periods across the 2026 season, the first of which covered the Australia, China, Japan, Miami and Canada races. The FIA had 14 days to analyze the results and determine which team had the best ICE and how far its competitors were behind the benchmark.Mercedes was found to be at least two percent, but less than four 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 four percent or more behind Red Bull, which means they will receive two upgrades this season and two next season.The results caught Red Bull off guard, something Mekies reiterated on Friday in Austria. It had been widely assumed that Mercedes would be found to have the strongest ICE. In wake of the news, Red Bull requested a review of the findings, which the FIA is obliged to do.“We have received preliminary information from the FIA, and yes, we are very surprised about this preliminary information,” Mekies said on Friday. “We have been having very constructive discussions with the FIA ever since. They are doing a review.”Mekies also revealed that Red Bull is sharing as much data as it can with the FIA to ensure the governing body gets “the right picture and the full picture” given the large-scale implications of the initial findings. As it stands, this not only will impact Red Bull’s 2026 season but also the 2027 campaign, given it is not entitled to engine upgrades, as the benchmark in terms of ICE performance.While the ADUO results haven’t been formally announced to the public, the teams did receive a document at the Monaco GP with the initial findings. Since then, both Audi and Ferrari have begun bringing in engine upgrades.According to the regulations, these upgrades aren’t restricted to just the ICE. Permitted updates cover a wide range of engine 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.He later added: “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 big talking points regarding the drivers’ market is whether or not Verstappen will remain with Red Bull (or in F1 overall) come next season.The Dutchman has been highly critical of the new engines this season, though tweaks to the regulations have been made for 2027 and 2028. He said in Spain that these developments were “heading in the right direction” for his future.“I’m not asking Max every week if he’s going to stay,” Mekies 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.”