Mercedes look to have spotted a gap in the new 2026 F1 engine rules, and it could end up giving them a notable boost in horsepower.
The regulations set a maximum fuel compression ratio of 16:1, but Mercedes are believed to be operating closer to 18:1 during races. Their setup remains within FIA limits when checked with the car stationary.
Ferrari, Audi and Honda seem convinced that something unusual is happening, but haven’t been able to prove it yet.
The Mercedes solution is rumoured to be worth around three or four tenths per lap – enough to shake up the pecking order. That advantage would also extend to their customer teams, McLaren, Williams and Alpine.
Ferrari Unable to Challenge Mercedes Engine Ahead of Australian GP
There have been reports that Ferrari are considering protesting the outcome of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, believing Mercedes have gone against the intended spirit of the regulations.
But Audi boss Mattia Binotto, speaking to The Race, raised doubts about whether this protest would hold any weight, as there’s no clear evidence pinpointing which specific aspect of the Mercedes car is in violation.
“You can protest if you know what you’re protesting,” Binotto said.
Audi’s solution is to push for a real-time measuring device, but implementing this won’t happen quickly.
“I don’t think there will be clarity or compromise,” he continued. “The meeting, which has been set for 22 January, is more to continue to discuss how can we improve or develop a methodology for the future to measure the compression ratios in operating conditions.”
He pointed out that current checks are done with engines disassembled and at cool temperatures, meaning teams might not find out until much later in the season if they’re actually compliant. Real-time monitoring during races would address this gap.
Ferrari told they can’t protest Mercedes engine trick at Australian GP
There have been suggestions that Ferrari could challenge the outcome of the Australian Grand Prix, feeling Mercedes have gone against the intent of the regulations.
But Audi boss Mattia Binotto, speaking to The Race, raised doubts about whether a protest would hold up, given they can’t identify a specific element of the car that breaks the rules.
“You can protest if you know what you’re protesting,” said Binotto, who previously served as Ferrari’s team principal.
An F1 teams meeting is scheduled for Thursday to address the matter, but Binotto doesn’t expect immediate action. Audi are instead pushing for a real-time monitoring system to be put in place, although this wouldn’t be ready anytime soon.
“I don’t think there will be clarity or compromise,” he said. “The meeting, which has been set for the 22nd of January, is more to continue to discuss how can we improve or develop a methodology for the future to measure the compression ratios in operating conditions.
“Today we are doing it in cool conditions with the engine disassembled – so you may wait until the end of season to know if you are compliant. It’s simply we are trying, all together, to really develop a methodology where we can measure it in real time while the car is running.”
Ferrari could be a midfield team at Australian GP
The most straightforward answer might be for others to copy what Mercedes have done. Red Bull Powertrains may already be partway there after hiring several former Brixworth engineers.
This wasn’t something that came together overnight. A report suggested Ferrari could even struggle just break into the top 10 in Melbourne if Mercedes power teams fill out much of the grid early on.
While that prediction might overstate things a bit, serious concerns remain within the paddock and across the sport as a whole. If nothing changes ahead of the 2026 season and the Scuderia doesn’t shape up then their campaign could effectively already lost before it’s even begun.
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