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Verstappen Expresses Desire for More 'ADUO': Relentless Pursuit of Development
World champion Max Verstappen has spoken out about his desire for extra 'ADUO', a term used in Formula 1 to denote additional track time outside regular sessions.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-07-28T15:45:00.000Z - 2 min read
Max Verstappen, known for his relentless drive for perfection, recently made a remark that has caught attention in the paddock. The world champion indicated that he 'would also like to have some ADUO', a clear expression of his ongoing ambition and dedication to the sport.
Within Formula 1, 'ADUO' stands for 'Additional Driver Usage Opportunity', meaning extra testing opportunities for drivers. These sessions take place outside standard race weekends and are typically focused on car development, testing new parts, or providing track time to young talents.
Current regulations restrict team testing time to a minimum. Every kilometer on circuit is therefore precious and carefully planned. The scarce track time is strictly allocated between race drivers and test/development drivers, lending extra weight to Verstappen's request.
That a driver of Verstappen's caliber, who dominates the sport, still feels the need for more driving time for development demonstrates his unrivaled focus. It underscores his professional approach, constantly seeking to push the limits of both the car and his own performance.
His statement can be viewed as a signal that even a highly successful team like Red Bull is always looking for ways to stay ahead of the competition. Any additional opportunity to refine the car or evaluate new configurations could deliver a crucial advantage in the championship battle.
The contribution of an experienced driver like Verstappen during such test sessions is invaluable. His detailed feedback helps engineers understand the car's behavior and make targeted technical upgrades.
Whether concrete possibilities exist to accommodate this desire within current cost caps and testing restrictions remains open to question. Nevertheless, Verstappen's remark clearly illustrates the mindset required to continue performing at the top of Formula 1.
It demonstrates that the drive for optimization never stops, even when success predominates. The desire for more 'ADUO' thus symbolizes the eternal search for ultimate performance.