A former Ferrari figure has explained why the FIA’s decision regarding the Mercedes power unit may not necessarily represent an advantage for the Scuderia from Maranello.
We have already discussed this topic at length and will continue to do so for quite some time. The case involving the Mercedes engine and the FIA is set to remain at the centre of debate at the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season, especially in light of the latest rumours circulating within the paddock. According to what has been reported by Autosprint, the Federation appears determined to introduce checks at high operating temperatures, a measure that has long been requested by the other engine manufacturers.
For this change to become official, a formal vote is required, which will most likely take place during one of the upcoming meetings scheduled ahead of the first race weekend in Melbourne. This procedural step is expected to be decisive in determining whether the new inspection criteria will be enforced from the very beginning of the new campaign.
Clearly, if the FIA were to approve this change, the sport could witness a genuine political battle, as Mercedes would be unlikely to accept such a decision without resistance. Behind this opposition lies the fear of seeing an advantage disappear, an advantage that many insiders have estimated to be worth around a couple of tenths of a second per lap, derived from the now well-known variable compression ratio system.
What changes for Ferrari?
Mattia Binotto addressed this question during his appearance on the podcast “Terruzzi Racconta”. The former Ferrari Team Principal, even before the Federation made the decision anticipated by Fulvio Solms, had already spoken about the solution found and implemented by the Brackley-based team.
“Even if someone has developed a system that, from a regulatory point of view, can be legal or not legal, and we could discuss that for hours, it is not a given that, once you get to the track, this competitive advantage will immediately be shown. Or shown at all, or shown in its entirety. So, when someone says: ‘Ah, Mercedes has developed this system’, in reality we cannot know for sure. Let’s even assume that Mercedes has really developed a grey-area system. Even in that case, when you arrive at the track, it is not certain that you will immediately see a clearly superior Mercedes engine. But not because it is not superior. Perhaps, once again, it is simply a strategic choice,” said Mattia Binotto.
As a result, any potential FIA decision may not actually represent a clear advantage for rival teams, including Ferrari. The power unit designed by Mercedes could still prove to be the best in terms of overall efficiency and outright performance, regardless of the much-discussed “trick” that has dominated recent conversations.
As always in Formula 1, therefore, the final and ultimate judge will be the track itself, where speculation gives way to lap times and real-world performance.
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