Toto Wolff issues FIA plea as rivals seek to gain from new rule

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has insisted the ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) system must not be used to leapfrog a power unit manufacturer to the head of the F1 pecking order.

As part of the new regulations introduced this year, the FIA introduced measures to ensure no manufacturer was left distantly trailing. 

By using data available to it, the FIA can dictate who is eligible for the help with the first review to set occur after round six of the year, before further evaluations are carried out after rounds 12 and 18.

With Mercedes undoubtedly setting the benchmark at the start of the season, other teams are lobbying to be granted permission to operate under ADUO allowances.

This is believed to include Ferrari, who offered Mercedes early-race challenges in Australia and China.

But Wolff has insisted the FIA must be careful to ensure no team is given the chance to move to the head of the pecking order through the system.

“The principle of the ADUO was to allow teams that were on the back foot in terms of the power unit to catch up, but not to leapfrog,” Wolff told media including RacingNews365.

“And it needs to be very clear that whatever decisions are being made, whatever whichever team is granted ADUO that any such decision may have a big impact on the performance picture and on the championship, if not done with absolute precision, clarity and transparency.

“It needs to be clear that gamesmanship hasn't got any place here. 

“But it needs to be with the right spirit here that the FIA acts upon ADUO. And of course, the teams will have their performance pictures.”

The power unit manufacturer that has undoubtedly struggled the most in the early stage of the year is Honda.

While Wolff acknowledged the Japanese manufacturer should qualify for ADUO, he called into question the legitimacy of the other claims.

“As it seems for me, there's one engine manufacturer that has a problem, and we need to help, and then all the others are pretty much in the same ballpark,” he said.

“I would be very surprised, actually, and disappointed if ADUO decisions that were done would come up with any interferences into the competitive pecking order as it stands at the moment.”