A major tip-off could potentially knock Mercedes out over the 2026 power unit, with the FIA now forced to make a crucial decision. Ferrari, Honda and Audi are reportedly furious and ready to act, as a key meeting could determine the fate of the new regulations.
The first major controversy of the 2026 Formula 1 season has already erupted and involves Mercedes and, possibly, Red Bull, over a potential grey area in the regulations that could be exploited with the new engine. According to reports, a meeting took place on Thursday in which the FIA discussed the issue, with Ferrari, Honda and Audi all ready to lodge an official protest.
According to the German outlet Motorsport Magazin, Mercedes and possibly Red Bull have taken advantage of a grey area in the regulations that could provide a significant performance advantage from a power unit perspective. It is worth recalling that FIA checks are carried out at ambient temperature, while the compression ratio comes into play when the power unit is operating. The 2026 regulations impose a reduction in the compression ratio of the internal combustion engine.
The compression ratio must be lowered from the 18:1 used up to this season to the new limit of 16:1. However, the two teams mentioned above are believed to have found a way to maintain the same ratio used until 2025 without formally breaching the rules. This solution could give Mercedes, and potentially Red Bull, an estimated extra 15 horsepower, worth around three tenths of a second per lap. Attention has now turned to a meeting held last Thursday. Here are the details.
FIA meets engine manufacturers on Thursday, compromise on the table?
“The regulations clearly define the maximum compression ratio and the method used to measure it. Thermal expansion can influence dimensions at operating temperatures, but the current rules do not provide for measurements at elevated temperatures. The FIA will continue to consistently examine these matters to ensure fairness and clarity in the regulations and, if necessary, consider possible changes to the rules or measurement procedures in the future.” This was the official position released by the FIA on the matter.
According to Corriere dello Sport, a general meeting was held at the FIA headquarters on Thursday involving all engine manufacturers. Ferrari, Honda, Red Bull itself and Audi are all seeking clarification. The FIA must now decide whether to ban the Mercedes “trick,” which would cause major disruption for up to four teams, or to allow it. If the latter scenario materialises, however, it could lead to protests and controversy even before the championship begins.
The entire issue reportedly originated from a tip-off around seven months ago, when a Mercedes engineer moved to Red Bull and revealed this secret. The Milton Keynes powertrain department attempted to replicate the concept, although without basing its entire design on that specific solution. A compromise is now being considered: allowing the solution for this season and then banning it from 2027, as previously happened with the wellAS system. Unsurprisingly, this would not be welcomed by the teams.
The Technical Regulations state that “no engine cylinder may have a geometric compression ratio greater than 16.0. The procedure for measuring this value will be specified by each power unit manufacturer in accordance with FIA-F1-DOC-C042 and carried out at ambient temperature. The FIA continuously reviews these matters to ensure fairness and clarity. In the future, amendments to the regulations or measurement procedures may be considered.”
Some believe it is impossible to increase the compression ratio to such an extent and argue, as reported by AutoRacer.it, that the potential performance gains may have been exaggerated to put pressure on Mercedes. According to L’Équipe, another meeting is expected to take place today. Further developments are now awaited.
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