Ferrari, along with other engine manufacturers, is putting pressure on the FIA regarding the issue surrounding the 2026 engines of Mercedes and Red Bull, with a possible date for the first changes now coming into view.
We have said it and repeated it many times already. The topic linked to the 2026 power units will dominate these weeks leading up to the first tests in Barcelona and, above all, to the opening Grand Prix of the season. After Ferrari, Audi and Honda officially raised the issue, there is now growing anticipation to understand what decisions the Federation will ultimately take.
The three manufacturers have in fact sent a letter to the FIA requesting clarification on the now well-known compression ratio issue, and they are waiting for a response that could significantly shape a championship that is already just around the corner. Should the power units of Red Bull and Mercedes be deemed legal, it would open the door to a series of protests similar to those seen against Racing Point in 2020, albeit for very different reasons.
A key date emerges for the season
In this context, the first potential developments are beginning to surface. At the moment, measurements are carried out at ambient temperature, making it impossible to properly analyze a potential change in the compression ratio of the engines in question. For this reason, the FIA could soon revise the evaluation criteria used for power units. The timeframe being discussed is around six or seven races, which would be the window available to Red Bull and Mercedes to bring their engines back within the limits imposed by the regulations.
These timings are likely linked to the ADUO, the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities, introduced by the Federation specifically with the new regulatory cycle in mind. “Every five or six races we will measure the average performance of each engine manufacturer. Whoever falls below a certain predefined level will receive a benefit in the form of additional development budget, extra hours on the test bench and the possibility to carry out a new engine homologation,” Nikolas Tombazis had explained months ago.
It remains to be seen whether this type of solution will actually be adopted, or whether the FIA will instead choose to take a different approach right from the start of the season.
The tension in the paddock is palpable, as these technical “grey areas” could define the hierarchy of the sport for years to come. For Ferrari, the stakes couldn’t be higher: ensuring the regulations are applied strictly is the first step toward their goal of 2026 glory. As we edge closer to the season opener, the ball is firmly in the FIA’s court to provide the clarity the sport demands.
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