The three manufacturers are said to have asked for immediate FIA intervention over a regulatory interpretation that could deliver a significant technical advantage.
We haven’t even seen these new cars on track yet – not a single lap completed – and still the atmosphere around Formula 1’s new technical era is already heating up.
VIDEO – LISTEN TO THE SOUND OF THE 2026 ENGINE!
According to reports emerging in recent hours and published by Motorsport Magazine, Ferrari, Honda and Audi have expressed strong concerns to the FIA over an alleged regulatory interpretation exploited by Mercedes (and potentially Red Bull as well) regarding the 2026 power units. At the center of the issue is the engine compression ratio, which from next season is supposed to be reduced from 18:1 to 16:1 for all homologated units.
What happened: Mercedes exploiting a grey area?
According to the rumors, Mercedes may have identified a technical solution capable of effectively maintaining an 18:1 compression ratio without formally breaching the written regulations. If confirmed, this interpretation could translate into an estimated advantage of up to 15 horsepower and around three tenths of a second per lap—an enormous margin in a regulatory framework designed precisely to level performance among engine manufacturers at the start of the new technical cycle.
For this reason, Ferrari, Audi and Honda are said to have urged the FIA to intervene before the start of the championship, requesting an immediate clarification or modification of the regulations.
However, the extremely tight timelines would make corrective action before the Australian Grand Prix difficult. The three manufacturers are reportedly referring in particular to Article C1.5 of the technical regulations, which requires technical parameters to be respected “at all times during the operation” of the car. The FIA is now evaluating whether to step in with a regulatory revision later on.
Ladies and gentlemen: the technical battle over the 2026 engines has, it seems, already begun.
Photo: Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team
