Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is urging the FIA to ensure that the new power unit regulations for the 2026 season do not unfairly disrupt the competitive order in Formula 1. The regulations include a performance-balancing measure that allows manufacturers trailing the leader by a certain margin to develop their engines. Wolff emphasized that the goal of this measure, known as Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO), is to enable teams to catch up, not to leapfrog their competitors.
He stressed that the FIA must implement these rules with precision, clarity, and transparency to prevent any undue impact on the championship. With Mercedes dominating the early stages of the season, Wolff's team is likely to be the benchmark for other manufacturers to catch up with. However, Wolff suggested that only one power unit manufacturer, Honda, which supplies Aston Martin, needs assistance. He expressed concern that granting ADUO to certain teams could interfere with the competitive pecking order, emphasizing that the FIA must protect the integrity of the sport and prevent any team from unfairly leapfrogging others.