Ferrari gains the upper hand against Mercedes in 2026 engine ruling
The 2026 Formula 1 season is set to be more than just a visible revolution. Beneath the new aerodynamic shapes and turbo-hybrid engines lies a regulatory battle that has quietly unfolded over recent months, away from the public eye. At the heart of this conflict is the engine compression ratio. According to the Italian daily newspaper Corriere dello Sport, author Fulvio Solms reports that the FIA has decided to adjust the measurement methods for this critical parameter, effectively approving the request made by Ferrari, Audi, and Honda. This decision, starting from the Australian Grand Prix, will change the competitive landscape.
Power units: Ferrari, Audi, and Honda get their way?
The issue may seem simple on the surface but carries significant consequences. The original regulations required compression ratio checks to be performed on a cold engine. Ferrari, supported by Audi and Honda, requested that these measurements instead be done on a hot engine, with the V6 components heated to operating temperature.
This is not a mere technical preference; it directly affects the interpretation of the rules and, potentially, competitive hierarchies. Ferrari sent a clarification letter months ago, backed by the Japanese and German manufacturers. Mercedes, however, took the opposite stance, with Toto Wolff publicly expressing his frustration over the issue here.
The FIA decision-making process
What makes this case particularly sensitive is the FIA’s decision-making mechanism. To change the regulation with these new measures, unanimity is not required. A qualified majority consisting of the FIA, Formula 1, and four of the five engine manufacturers is sufficient.
In this context, Red Bull’s vote became decisive. The Milton Keynes team, initially neutral and not signing the clarification letter, reportedly changed its position. With this shift, the qualified majority was achieved. The result: static compression ratio checks, but now performed on a hot engine.
Timing and technical significance
The timing was deliberate. Enrico Gualtieri, Ferrari’s Head of Engines, expressed full confidence in the FIA to resolve the issue before the season started during the SF-26 launch. The governing body delivered on that promise, clarifying a regulatory gray area that had allowed multiple interpretations.
But why does measuring the ratio on a hot engine matter? It comes down to material physics and thermal expansion. Engine components behave differently depending on temperature. Cold measurements may not reflect real operating conditions, while hot measurements closely match what happens on track. Essentially, it’s about aligning rules with technical reality.
Political influence behind the ruling
This is not just a technical adjustment; it is also a political win. Ferrari secured its position by allying with Audi and Honda and persuading Red Bull not to oppose the change. Mercedes finds itself isolated on this front. Reports suggest Ola Källenius, CEO of Daimler AG, may seek recourse to defend an engineering advantage initially approved by the regulator.
Ferrari has demonstrated its political clout and ability to influence regulatory decisions. Formula 1 is not only a sport of speed—it is also a game of power, where alliances are formed in FIA boardrooms through clarification letters and qualified majorities. Whether this change will have tangible effects on performance remains to be seen, but the FIA has definitively resolved a gray area. In F1, technical decisions are never purely technical—they are strategic, and Ferrari understands this better than most.
If confirmed, these developments could undermine the speculation reported by Leo Turrini here, reshaping the start of the 2026 season and making it far more competitive than initially assumed.
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