Toto Wolff has warned Formula 1's governing body against "gamesmanship" with the sport's Additional Design and Upgrade Opportunities system, insisting any decisions must be made with "absolute precision, clarity, and transparency." The ADUO mechanism was introduced as a safety net following the 2014 season to help manufacturers struggling with power unit performance catch up to the grid leaders.

The Mercedes team principal told media the system should only assist those genuinely behind, not allow teams to leapfrog rivals. "There's one engine manufacturer that has a problem and we need to help," Wolff said, pointing to Honda as the only current candidate. He expressed concern that ADUO could improperly influence championship outcomes if applied to teams already performing at similar levels. "I would be very surprised and disappointed if ADUO decisions would come up with any interferences into the competitive pecking order."

Attention has turned to Ferrari, with team principal Frederic Vasseur openly stating the ADUO "will be an opportunity for us to close the gap" on the engine side. However, rivals argue Ferrari made strategic choices including the use of a smaller turbo, raising questions about whether a power deficit would justify ADUO. The timing of decisions also remains under discussion, with the two Middle Eastern races reportedly dropped from consideration for the measurement windows.

The FIA measures pure internal combustion engine output every six races, granting one additional upgrade to manufacturers between 2-4% behind the best, and two updates to those more than 4% down. Wolff emphasised the system was always intended as a catch-up mechanism, not a leapfrog tool, and called on the FIA to protect the integrity of the sport.