The Corriere dello Sport continues to insist that intense talks with the FIA are currently underway. Among the scenarios being discussed is the possibility of introducing new regulations during the season.
Mercedes under scrutiny
Today’s edition of Corriere dello Sport, in an article by Fulvio Solms, reported the latest updates regarding the case of Mercedes’ thermal V6 engine, which is said to be capable of exceeding the 16:1 compression ratio set by the new regulations when running, even though the measurement is taken with the engine cold.
These rumours, which have never been denied, outline a situation that is proving extremely difficult for the FIA to resolve, especially with the start of the 2026 world championship drawing ever closer. The governing body is now required to rule on a highly sensitive issue at a crucial moment for Formula 1.
The FIA’s position
According to the Rome-based newspaper, the FIA, having been informed of Mercedes’ project, had initially given the green light to the solution developed by the team led by Toto Wolff.
However, a letter received from three rival engine manufacturers reportedly pushed the FIA to consider a different approach. The Federation first proposed allowing this technical workaround only for the 2026 season, before opening discussions with the teams and putting the option of a mid-season regulatory intervention on the table, driven by pressure from increasingly angry power unit manufacturers.
The sides involved
On one side stand Mercedes and the teams supplied by its power unit: reigning world champions McLaren, along with Williams and Alpine.
On the opposing side, applying pressure on the FIA and signing the letter sent to the governing body, are Ferrari, which also supplies Haas and Cadillac, Honda, linked to Aston Martin, and Audi.
Red Bull, and therefore Racing Bulls as well, has remained neutral. According to Corriere dello Sport, the Milton Keynes-based group has not yet managed to replicate Mercedes’ solution and has no intention of engaging in fierce political battles like those seen in the previous cycle under Christian Horner. Naturally, the team led by Laurent Mekies wants clarity on the matter, but it is not at all concerned about the legality of its own power unit.
What happens next?
According to Corriere dello Sport, a summit between the engine manufacturers and the FIA is scheduled for 22 January, with the aim of resolving the issue once and for all. “Ferrari, Honda and Audi are asking the FIA to ban this engine as soon as possible during the season.”
As a result, the option of introducing an ad-hoc regulatory change during the 2026 season is now firmly on the table.
As the January 22nd summit approaches, the political climate in the Paddock is reaching a boiling point. The outcome of this meeting will not only determine the legality of Mercedes’ 2026 power unit but could also set a precedent for how the FIA handles technical innovation versus regulatory “loopholes” in this new era. With Ferrari and its allies demanding immediate action, the Federation finds itself caught between allowing a potentially season-defining advantage or risking a legal battle by changing the rules after the engines have already been homologated.
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