Carlo Vanzini has spoken about the differences between the Ferrari engine that was considered illegal in 2019 and the Mercedes power unit that is currently at the centre of debate with a view to the 2026 Formula 1 regulations.
Given the many rumours surrounding the Mercedes engine for 2026, many fans and observers have drawn parallels with what happened at Ferrari back in 2019. During the first year of Mattia Binotto’s management, the Scuderia had a highly competitive power unit at its disposal, which allowed Ferrari to secure victories at both Spa-Francorchamps and Monza. What sparked widespread controversy, however, was the secret agreement signed with the FIA at the end of that season, following checks on the fuel flow meter. That agreement forced Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel to race with an engine that was reportedly detuned by around 50–60 horsepower.
The differences compared to the ‘Mercedes case’
Carlo Vanzini explained the key differences between the two situations during one of his regular YouTube videos. “In Ferrari’s case in 2019, the situation had become extremely obvious, especially on the straights, like at Monza when Charles Leclerc won. Today, however, the context is completely different. The current engines are homologated, the projects are officially submitted and, more or less, everyone knows what the others are doing. The Federation knows what each individual team is developing and monitors everything even before the engines are assembled, checking that they fall within the parameters of legality,” said the leading Sky Sport F1 commentator.
“At this stage, the only moment when a team can intervene is during race weekends, by filing a formal protest that pushes the FIA to investigate, as happened for example in the case of the so-called ‘pink Mercedes’. But as things stand today, the other teams cannot do much more than let information leak to the newspapers, because they do not have direct access to the technical evidence required for an official protest.”
What happened in 2019?
“In 2019, on the other hand, Ferrari had developed a solution that was not in a grey area of the regulations, but clearly in a black one. The idea of increasing fuel flow at moments when the sensor was not checking, and then returning to a legal state, implied a precise and intentional study. Despite this, the FIA was never able to prove it technically. Mercedes was nevertheless aware of the system, also because it had hired Ferrari’s head of engine development, and that is also why Toto Wolff became furious when the famous secret agreement between Ferrari and the Federation was signed.”
“In theory, Ferrari could have continued to use that system: the FIA did not have the means to prove its irregularity, and Ferrari in the past would probably have done so. Instead, the team got scared and decided to cooperate with the Federation, helping it develop new control systems to prevent anyone else from replicating that solution. This is what happened with Ferrari in 2019, and it is correct to define it as technological doping,” Carlo Vanzini added.
What is happening right now?
The Sky Formula 1 commentator then tried to go into more detail about what has been happening in recent weeks. “The current situation is different. Assuming that what is being reported is true, and maybe other teams have thought along similar lines, here we would be talking about full compliance with the regulations. Mercedes would have taken the regulations, the FIA technical documentation and the permitted materials, with percentages already defined by the Federation, without inventing anything external or forbidden. Using those materials, they would have built the various engine components, which were then homologated by the FIA, proving to be perfectly legal in the official tests.”
“You have to congratulate them”
“During ambient temperature tests, the compression ratio fully respects the 16:1 limit. If, once hot, that ratio were to rise to 18:1, only those working on the engine dyno would know. And today, the FIA does not have the tools to effectively check the hot compression ratio. They might get there, but it will take one or two years. The only real possible countermeasure would be to revise the regulations on materials, limiting their use once it is understood that, with the right mixture, such a big advantage can be achieved. Because if this solution really exists, it is a brilliant idea that is completely legal. Assuming it is actually being used, because at the moment it is easy to cry ‘wolf, wolf’ about anything.”
“If it is true that Mercedes, and consequently also Red Bull, has found the right combination of materials, then all you can do is say well done. Explained like this, the difference compared to 2019 is enormous. Is it against the spirit of the regulations? Probably yes. But it is a solution that remains legal in the Federation’s tests, and as long as you are legal in the official tests, there is nothing to contest. Situations like this have happened many times in the past and will happen again,” Carlo Vanzini concluded.
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