Formula 1 teams appeal to FIA over scandal over new engines

A technical meeting will be held on January 22 with the participation of FIA and Formula 1 power unit manufacturers, where new generation engines for the 2026 season will be discussed.

A large-scale update of technical regulations regarding both chassis and engines will come into force in F1 from the 2026 season. The powertrain rules last changed in 2014. To support new engine manufacturers, the FIA ​​has introduced a limitation in the regulations: the compression ratio cannot exceed 16:1.

However, according to information from the paddock, it is claimed that Mercedes and Red Bull have found a way around this rule and have actually reached the 18:1 ratio as in the previous period. It is estimated that this could produce around 15bhp, equivalent to around 0.3 seconds per lap in Melbourne, the opening round of the season.

Ferrari (which also supplies engines to Haas and Cadillac), Audi and Honda have reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the situation. In this context, a meeting of manufacturer representatives with the FIA ​​is planned for January 22. There has been no official protest yet – the meeting is treated as a platform for a technical solution to the problem.