It’s already chaos in Formula 1: Mercedes’ 2026 engine case is clearly not going unnoticed by the FIA
If they say “a good start is half the work”… then these are definitely not the best premises. Following what emerged yesterday, the FIA has called a summit for Monday with all Formula 1 engine manufacturers to clarify the alleged regulatory workaround linked to the new 2026 power units.
According to Frédéric Ferret of L’Équipe, the discussion will focus on the technical solutions adopted by Mercedes (and potentially also Red Bull) to get around the compression ratio limit, which the regulations reduce from 18:1 to 16:1 starting next season.
Violation or fully legal? What’s happening in F1
The key issue revolves around the interpretation of the technical regulations. Some sources claim that Mercedes has found a way to effectively maintain an 18:1 equivalent compression ratio without formally breaching the written rules, gaining an estimated advantage of around 15 horsepower and up to three tenths of a second per lap. A scenario that has set alarm bells ringing among rival manufacturers. Ferrari, Honda and Audi are said to have already expressed strong dissatisfaction, pointing in particular to Article C1.5 of the technical regulations, which requires compliance with technical parameters “at all times during vehicle operation.”
If the FIA were to deem Mercedes’ and Red Bull’s interpretation legitimate, the three rival engine manufacturers would still have the option to file a formal protest with the stewards, effectively opening a technical-sporting dispute right on the eve of the new World Championship.
At the same time, an immediate revision of the power units appears highly unlikely: Mercedes and Red Bull engines will power a total of 12 cars in 2026, making substantial changes logistically impossible before the start of the season. Monday’s summit will therefore be crucial in determining whether the FIA intervenes on a regulatory level or whether the issue ends up directly in the hands of the stewards, with the risk of launching the new technical era of Formula 1… under the sign of controversy.
But then again – this is Formula 1.
Photo: Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team
