Red Bull challenges Mercedes over ADUO ranking as Max Verstappen questions power unit verdict. Max Verstappen mocks ADUO ranking as Red Bull and Mercedes renew engine dispute.

Debate erupts after Toto Wolff’s admission

It was inevitable that Toto Wolff’s television slip-up would trigger a wave of reactions and debate. After Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix, the Mercedes team principal admitted that Mercedes has the best power unit on the Formula 1 grid, despite the ADUO ranking reaching the opposite conclusion by identifying Red Bull as the leading engine manufacturer, at least in terms of the internal combustion element.

Laurent Mekies, Red Bull’s team principal, was the first to respond, albeit briefly. That was hardly surprising, given that the Frenchman has been doing everything possible to convince those responsible for assessing the competitiveness of the current Formula 1 power units that the engine built in Milton Keynes is not presently the strongest package on the grid.

Laurent Mekies agrees with Toto Wolff’s Mercedes assessment

“Toto said Mercedes has the best power unit? I think Toto is right,” Laurent Mekies said during the traditional post-race press conference held in the Mercedes hospitality unit. “I also think they have the most powerful engine. They certainly had a significant advantage on the straights again this weekend.

“It is not the first time, because they have held an advantage on the straights during most race weekends. It was slightly greater this weekend because of the particular characteristics of this circuit. We will see what happens. The second phase of the ADUO ranking assessment will conclude in Budapest in one week, so we will see what happens.”

Max Verstappen questions Red Bull’s ADUO position

Max Verstappen was less analytical and considerably more cutting when Sky Sports asked him about the power unit debate. The four-time Formula 1 world champion responded sarcastically when discussing the possibility of Mercedes receiving an engine upgrade.

“Will Mercedes be allowed to upgrade its engine? I would also really love to receive an engine upgrade, but that is not in my hands,” Max Verstappen said. “Apparently, it seems that we have the best engine, but when you get to qualifying it does not really look that way, does it? Or am I wrong?”

On that particular point, it is difficult to disagree with the four-time world champion.