Welcome to Friday’s edition of the RaceFans round-up.
Comment of the day
Reader @Black warns that Formula 1’s Additional Development Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) regulation risks repeating mistakes from an earlier system and asks whether the rule is necessary at all:
Why do we even have ADUO in the first place? Why do we have to unnecessarily complicate things?
Back in 2014–16 we used the token system. On paper it looked strategic, suggesting manufacturers would need to be clever about where and when they spent tokens. In practice it failed: it effectively locked in Mercedes’ advantage for three seasons and left the rest of the field fighting for scraps.
Only once the token system was removed, from 2017 to 2021, did we see other teams and engine manufacturers consistently mount serious challenges to Mercedes for the championship.
So I ask again: why introduce ADUO, which targets only the combustion-engine element of the power unit and ignores the hybrid system, even though the hybrid is claimed to account for roughly half the power? Why create complicated formulas to calculate how far a manufacturer is behind and how many upgrade opportunities they receive after specific races?
Why not simply allow power unit manufacturers to introduce updates whenever they like, with the only constraint being a budget cap applied per power unit?
@Black
Social media and links
‘Thought I was in a strong position’: Doohan on F1 heartbreak and what comes next (Fox)
Doohan reflects on the ups and downs of a racing career, noting that even top drivers remain employees under contract and that public attention and press noise can complicate negotiations and future plans.
IndyCar to reduce hybrid power output for remainder of season (Racer)
The series will lower hybrid power output after early-season reliability issues with energy storage systems and motor generator units, a response intended to protect supplies and improve overall reliability for competitors.
F1 sponsorship could give BYD a lower-risk route to global recognition (Reuters)
Industry observers say the global visibility that comes with F1 involvement makes the sport an attractive marketing platform for carmakers seeking broader recognition, with sponsorship offering a lower-risk path than full factory entries.
The Ferrari upgrades that gave Hamilton a Barcelona GP rocket ship (The Telegraph)
Analysis of the Barcelona race highlights how recent Ferrari upgrades translated into strong aerodynamic performance, with rival drivers commenting on the package and rival teams assessing their own strengths and weaknesses in response.
FIA Formula E world championship returns to Sanya for the opening round of an Asian triple-header (FIA)
Drivers and officials note the evolving nature of the championship: cars, rules and grid competitiveness have changed since the last Sanya event, and energy management will again be key to producing compelling races.
A work of art 🤩🎨
This is how the No. 76 Chevy looks this weekend with our special JHR x Justin Patten livery. #GoJHR #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/fd9lnGE6z6
— Juncos Hollinger Racing (@juncoshollinger) June 18, 2026
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Titch, jin and Jack_Hider! Wishing them a great day and another year of enjoyment following motorsport.
On this day in motorsport
- Ten years ago today Nico Rosberg claimed victory in the first Formula 1 race held in Baku, then billed as the European Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Sergio Perez.
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