An update to the 2026 regulations should give struggling Honda a much-needed boost.

Following the 'cancellation' of the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain rounds, the sport's governing body has adjusted the schedule for its Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) programme.

In a bid to avoid previous eras, such as from 2014, when one manufacturer gets it right and consequently dominates, ADUO has been put in place to ensure not so much a level playing field but rather to see that nobody falls totally behind.

At certain points in the season, originally after the 6th, 12th and 18th rounds, the ICE manufacturers would have qualified for upgrades and concessions in terms of the budget cap related to how far off the benchmark they were. The difference being measured in stages of 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%, the bigger the difference the more upgrades and financial concessions.

However, with an eye on Honda, though the Japanese manufacturer is not named, a new 10% (difference) band has been introduced - albeit for 2026 only - which allows for extra hours on the test bench, more than any of the lower bands and an $8m cost-cap adjustment.

While this must not be seen as a magic bullet, it should also be stressed that the $8m adjustment will have to be paid back over the remaining periods, it is basically a loan.

The rescheduled calendar will now see the assessments take place after Canada (Round 5), Hungary (Round 11) and Mexico (Round 18).

However, in a season of ongoing changes, the FIA is keen to stress that how it measures performance, and when, may yet change.

"These ADUO periods may be adjusted by the FIA in the event of any significant change to the competition calendar," said the governing body. "The proposed 2% threshold and subsequent resolution of the ICE performance index will be validated or adjusted after conclusion of the ongoing activities between PU Manufacturers and F1 Teams related to the on-track ICE performance measurement."