The FIA ​​is heading towards a change in F1 regulations amid the Mercedes and Red Bull engine controversy

With each change in regulations, the teams and engine manufacturers analyze the rules to find any exploitable loopholes. This season, Mercedes Benz would have excelled in the exercise. Perhaps too much so. The supposed advantage found by the Mercedes-Benz team with its power unit has indeed raised concerns among rival manufacturers, who were quick to voice their grievances to the FIA. This did little to alarm the president of the governing body, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. These controversies are typical at this time of year, but they will subside later. " he told AUTOhebdo.

In 2026, the engine cylinder compression ratio is reduced by technical regulation from 18.1 to 16.1 according to article C.5.4.3, which states that"No cylinder in the engine can have a geometric compression ratio greater than 16,0."  The only drawback: the measurement of this key data is – for the time being – only provided for at room temperature by the regulation.

Mercedes has reportedly found and exploited a legal loophole that would allow the cylinders to compress the air-fuel mixture in a smaller space when hot, thus offering a performance gain. Its power unit could therefore reach a compression ratio of 18.0, gaining 10 to 15 horsepower. This translates to a gain of approximately 0,3 seconds per lap, representing a total of 17,1 seconds over a 58-lap Grand Prix, for example. Initially, aside from Mercedes and its engine skirting the edge of legality, Red Bull The Austrian engine manufacturer was reportedly involved in exploring this vulnerability. However, it appears to have sided with the plaintiffs just days before the Bahrain tests. According to German media AMuSThe engine manufacturer was unable to exploit the flaw to its advantage.

Mercedes alone against everyone?

To mark the launch of the W17, Toto wolff He, for his part, had slammed his fist on the table, asserting the legality of the Mercedes engine before urging the competition to focus on its own business. The propulsion system is legal. he asserted. That's what the FIA ​​said. That's what the FIA ​​president said. He knows a thing or two about this. And in that sense, let's wait and see, but we feel confident. »

The FIA ​​had indeed already held several meetings in anticipation of possible protests that might be filed by competitors frustrated by the advantages developed by other engine manufacturers, without much progress. For his part, Mohammed Ben Sulayem was keen to ensure a level playing field for engine manufacturers this season. The teams are worried about the compression ratio, but not the FIA " he brushed aside. « This is an element of the regulation that has been included since the text was first drafted in August 2022.. We seek the best for all stakeholders in the F1And we don't want any team to have an advantage. I have a good team around me, and we're close to everyone involved in F1, including those who are experiencing problems. We need to be proactive to ensure everyone is treated fairly. No one should have an unfair technical advantage. » 

The latest meeting of the Power Unit Advisory Committee (PUAC), held after the Barcelona Shakedown at the end of January, reportedly allowed for the consideration of various possibilities. The governing body appears to be leaning towards a modification of the regulations, notably with the introduction of a control over the hot compression ratio. The proposals adopted by the committee have been presented to the FIA, which must now make a decision, certainly before the start of the F1 season scheduled for March 8 in Melbourne.

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