Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed disappointment at the prospect of FIA decisions on Additional Design and Upgrade Opportunities altering Formula 1's competitive order. He stressed that ADUO should aid struggling manufacturers without enabling leapfrogging. Wolff views only one engine maker, Honda, as truly needing the extra updates.
The FIA introduced ADUO in current Formula 1 power unit rules to avoid a repeat of 2014 issues. It measures internal combustion engine output every six races—periods 1-6, 7-12, 13-18, and 19-24. Manufacturers 2-4% behind the top ICE get one extra upgrade; those over 4% behind receive two. Discussions on qualifications are ongoing during the April break, following the cancellation of two Middle Eastern races. Wolff told reporters, including those from Motorsport.com, that ADUO aims to help teams on the back foot catch up, not leapfrog leaders. “It needs to be very clear that whatever decisions are being made... if not done with absolute precision, clarity, and transparency... may have a big impact on the performance picture and on the championship,” he said. He insisted there is “no place for gamesmanship” and urged the FIA to act in the right spirit. Wolff believes only Honda qualifies as struggling, with others in the same ballpark. “I would be very surprised to see, and disappointed, if ADUO decisions would come up with any interferences into the competitive pecking order as it stands at the moment,” he added. Attention focuses on Ferrari, a close challenger to Mercedes alongside McLaren. Ferrari principal Frederic Vasseur stated in Shanghai, “The addition of the ADUO will be an opportunity for us to close the gap.” Rivals note Ferrari's choices, like a smaller turbo, may affect power output, questioning ADUO eligibility. Wolff emphasized monitoring decisions with precise data, hoping the FIA protects the sport's integrity as a catch-up tool, not a leapfrog mechanism.
