Ferrari pursues Mercedes engine case: upcoming FIA discussions expected. Ferrari and other F1 engine manufacturers will meet the FIA to discuss the controversial 2026 Mercedes power unit.

F1 | Ferrari continues to challenge Mercedes engine: new FIA meetings planned to discuss

After an initial meeting that failed to produce the desired results, Ferrari and other engine manufacturers are scheduled to meet the FIA to discuss the controversial Mercedes engine for the 2026 season.

So far, the main outcomes for Mercedes regarding the much-debated 2026 power unit have been solid reliability and many laps completed. The Brackley-based team is widely seen as the primary favorite for the upcoming season, thanks in part to the now-famous variable compression ratio, which could provide several tenths of a second advantage over its rivals.

New meetings planned between FIA and engine manufacturers over the “Mercedes case”

For this reason, in the weeks leading up to the Barcelona shakedowns, the FIA held meetings with engine manufacturers to discuss the matter, but no definitive decision was reached. However, a decision could soon be made, potentially reshuffling the current competitive landscape.

According to reports from TheRace, new meetings are scheduled in the coming days between the Federation and the Power Unit manufacturers to reassess the situation. On Monday, discussions will focus on improving the current testing procedures to better monitor engine performance at high temperatures. Then, on Thursday, the Power Unit Advisory Committee (PUAC) is expected to decide on the possible next steps to resolve the issue.

The FIA’s main objective is to avoid arriving in Melbourne having to manage multiple protests, which would only generate excessive controversy. Achieving this will require finding a solution that satisfies all parties involved, a task that currently appears rather challenging and uncertain.

The intensifying standoff between Ferrari and Mercedes over the 2026 engine regulations underscores the high stakes of Formula 1’s new technical era, where a single engineering innovation can shift the entire balance of power. By pushing for more rigorous high-temperature testing and formal clarification from the FIA, Maranello is leading a collective effort to ensure that the Silver Arrows’ rumored performance edge doesn’t turn the Australian Grand Prix into a courtroom battle. While the FIA is desperate to find a diplomatic resolution through the Power Unit Advisory Committee, the fundamental disagreement over variable compression suggests that a clean start to the season in Melbourne is far from guaranteed. Ultimately, the outcome of these upcoming meetings will determine whether the 2026 championship is won through pure innovation on the track or through the strategic precision of the rulebook.