2026 power units, Mercedes and Red Bull illegal: FIA steps in and summons engine manufacturers
From next season, Formula 1’s technical regulations will undergo a radical transformation. Alongside the removal of the DRS system and the introduction of active aerodynamics, one of the most significant changes will concern the power unit, which is set to be heavily revised as part of the new technical framework.
In particular, the regulations intervene on the compression ratio inside the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine (ICE). As previously reported, up to the 2025 season this value could not exceed 18:1. From 2026 onwards, however, the limit has been further reduced to 16:1, with the aim of keeping performance and fuel consumption under control within the new technical balance defined by the FIA.
In recent days, however, according to information reported by Christian Menath on Motorsport-Magazine.com, a possible regulatory loophole has emerged that was identified by Mercedes and, in all likelihood, also by Red Bull. This interpretation of the rules would allow the two manufacturers to run a compression ratio very close to the current value, potentially delivering an estimated performance gain of around 15 horsepower.
FIA calls urgent meeting to clarify regulations
Over the past few hours, French newspaper L’Équipe has added another important detail to the story, reporting that a meeting between the FIA and the power unit manufacturers is scheduled for tomorrow. The purpose of this gathering is to clarify the legality of this specific interpretation of the 2026 regulations and to determine whether it complies with the spirit and the letter of the new rules.
Should the International Federation approve the use of this technical solution, Ferrari, Honda and Audi are reportedly already prepared to lodge a formal protest with the stewards. The stewards would then be required to issue an official ruling on the matter, potentially setting an important precedent even before the new cars take to the track.
Risk of early technical imbalance
It is also worth highlighting that 12 of the 22 cars entered in the championship will be powered by Mercedes and Ford/Red Bull power units. If this alleged loophole were to be deemed legal, there would be a concrete risk of a significant technical imbalance emerging even before the debut of the 2026 cars in competitive conditions.
Such a scenario could undermine the competitive objectives of the new regulations, which are designed to bring the field closer together at the start of the next technical era. For this reason, the FIA’s intervention and the outcome of the upcoming meeting with the engine manufacturers could prove decisive in shaping the competitive landscape of Formula 1 heading into 2026.
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