Ferrari is reportedly applying pressure on the FIA to ban Mercedes’ engine solution for the 2026 season. The Italian team, along with Honda and Audi, are pushing to outlaw what they consider a borderline-legal advantage in lap time.
The new regulations will bring a complete overhaul in chassis, engine, and aerodynamics. As observed previously, Mercedes and Red Bull appear to have discovered a “grey area” that could yield around three-tenths of a second per lap. The rules state: “No engine cylinder may have a geometric compression ratio higher than 16.0. The procedure to determine this value is detailed in the documentation.” Until 2025, the maximum compression ratio for engines was 18.0.
According to The Race, other manufacturers such as Ferrari, Honda, and Audi wrote to the FIA requesting clarification. The International Federation has been in constant dialogue with Mercedes, which sought assurances regarding their solution. It is currently considered legal as long as it passes cold checks. However, this conflicts with another absolute in the regulations: “Formula 1 cars must fully comply with the present regulations at all times during competition.” After submitting their letter, engine manufacturers are now exploring ways to have the solution banned.
Could a technical directive arrive after 6–7 races? Ferrari, Honda, and Audi are pushing the FIA. According to Italian journalist Daniele Sparisci from Corriere della Sera, the three constructors want decisive action. Loic Serra, Ferrari’s Technical Director, is intrigued by grey areas, but in this case, the innovation would constitute a sporting violation. If the FIA decides to ban the solution, Mercedes and Red Bull would have to redesign their engines in just a few days before the championship begins. The Austrian team may have even copied the solution due to an error in Mercedes’ sensitive documentation. The other option would be to prohibit the trick starting in 2027, similar to the DAS system in 2020.
Ferrari, Honda, and Audi risk losing the championship before even hitting the track. They are attempting to pressure the FIA by suggesting a technical directive that could modify the control over compression ratios. This could lead to the introduction of a new rule after 6–7 races, giving enough time to adjust the Power Unit. It is a delicate political game, with the final option being an official technical protest, which could also damage the integrity and image of Formula 1 and the Federation itself.
The outcome of this dispute will therefore define the pecking order for the next generation of Formula 1. If Ferrari and its allies succeed in forcing a mid-season rule change, they could neutralize a massive advantage held by their rivals. Conversely, if the FIA stands its ground, Mercedes might once again start a new era with a dominant head start. With hundreds of millions of euros in development costs at stake, the battle in the corridors of the FIA is proving just as intense as the action on the dynos.
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