Peak power and the power band are not the same thing. It is like the difference between the Renault V8 and Mercedes V8 in 2010-2014. If one car sacrifice peak power in order to gain a power band that suits partial throttle and superclipping harvesting, then they can charge the battery better, while having less peak power output. What have the FIA done to account for this?
The ICE measurements will also fail to take into account exhaust flow restrictions induced by the flick tail mode. Ferrari sacrificed some horsepower when they put a cap over half of the exhaust pipe, and they also sacrified some power when they used the minimum cross section tail pipe in order to speed up the exhaust air flow for the flick tail mode. Higher velocity flow inside tailpipe generates higher flow losses. None of this can be measured by the torque meters.
I don't understand how it would have been possible for the FIA to take into account these basic concepts, and without taking this into account the results of the ADUO can be distorted.
Furthermore, even though the hybrid side produces no energy (its coming from the fuel), that does not mean the hybrid side does not CONSUME energy. The hybrid system is not 100% efficient. There is irreversible loss of energy inside the battery due to spontaneous side reactions with impurities inside the anode, the electrolyte, the cathode. There are power conversion losses between the battery and the MGU-K. The MGU-K is not 100% efficient. All of these systems also have variable thermal degradation due to their designs.
So tying hybrid system tokens to ICE index in a 50/50 formula where the hybrid system is important is simply flawed. Red Bull by virtue of their position as the "ICE leader" on paper (which may have no useful connection considering power band), has now been locked out of upgrading their hybrid system until 2028, while everyone else will receive minimum 1 update per season on the hybrid side. This penalty is applied to a 1st time PU manufacturer, who undoubtably would have far more things to correct on the hybrid side than manufacturers who have been making hybrids for over a decade.
The system doesn't work. It's really simple to understand. Anybody who doesn't think Mercedes has the highest performing PU is simply not worth the time to argue with. The unanimous surprise in the paddock says it all.
The ADUO system will now allow the true lead PU manufacturer upgrades that completed defeat the catchup mechanism while hindering a 1st time PU manufacturer who without a shadow of doubt would be in a weaker position in areas that they are now forbidden from updating until 2028.
