Next year, new Formula 1 regulations will come into force, which will be one of the most ambitious, if not the most radical, regulations in recent decades.

Cars will become smaller and lighter, active aerodynamics will appear, and changes will also affect power units. The balance between electrical components and the internal combustion engine will change from 80/20 to 50/50 in favor of the internal combustion engine.

Among the changes made to the power plant arrangements was the reduction of the engine compression ratio from 1:18 to 1:16. This latest change became the cause of heated debate and appeals directly to the FIA.

There will be five engine suppliers in F1 next season: Audi (Audi), Mercedes (Mercedes, McLaren, Williams, Alpine), Ferrari (Ferrari, Cadillac, Haas), Honda (Aston Martin) and Red Bull-Ford (Red Bull, Racing Bulls).

According to available information, it was claimed that Mercedes and Red Bull found a loophole in the rules that could give their cars an advantage of up to 0.5 seconds per lap.

In this article we will tell you exactly what technical solutions the teams have come up with and how their competitors plan to counter this potential advantage.

What is the advantage

Compression ratio is an indicator that shows how many times the air-fuel mixture is compressed in the cylinder from the moment the piston is at the bottom to the moment it reaches the highest point. In simple terms, this is the ratio of the total volume of the cylinder to the volume of the combustion chamber.

While the compression ratio was 1:18.0 in the regulations introduced in 2022, this ratio was reduced to 1:16.0 with the new rules.

This could be considered a step back because with a higher compression ratio you can get more power from the same amount of fuel, potentially meaning more performance from the internal combustion engine.

Two of the manufacturers, Mercedes and Red Bull, have reportedly found a “grey area” in these rules that allows them to circumvent the restrictions.

However, this is difficult to enforce because the FIA ​​will actively check that all elements of the car comply with the regulations. In particular, the following expressions are used regarding the compression ratio:

“No engine cylinder may have a geometric compression ratio higher than 16.0. The procedure for measuring this value will be described in detail by each manufacturer and carried out at ambient temperature. This procedure must be approved by the FIA ​​technical department and included in the manufacturer’s homologation dossier.”

Allegedly, during testing they managed to make sure that at ambient temperature everything corresponded to the predicted compression value – exactly 1:16.0.

However, in racing conditions, when engine temperatures rise and materials expand, compression levels exceed acceptable limits.

It is unknown whether it actually reaches 1:18, but if so, the advantage that cars with these power plants would gain could be up to about 15 horsepower. This works out to around 0.3-0.5 seconds per lap depending on the track.

Of course, this is a significant advantage, which is why other manufacturers have requested the FIA ​​to ban the use of this technology.

And here the Federation faces a difficult choice. Mercedes and Ford Red Bull customers together make up more than half of the peloton; 6 out of 11 teams, i.e. 12 cars.

Banning their decision would mean forcing a large part of the peloton to restructure just a month before the first tests, introducing reliability and performance risks. And if this is not done, Ferrari, Honda and Audi customers’ chances of victory and high rankings will be destroyed.

At the same time, sources indicate that Red Bull, which joined this decision later, could still return to the allowed figures of 1:16.0. However, Mercedes, which has been working on this concept for much longer, will no longer have time to do this.

How will the FIA ​​decide and what will be the actions of the competitors?

As noted by the authoritative publication Motorsport, the FIA ​​plans or may have already decided to recognize the Mercedes and Red Bull concept as fully legal if it can pass bench tests, even if the compression ratio during operation exceeds the permissible value.

This situation is reminiscent of what happened with Mercedes’ DAS system in 2020; This system made it possible to mechanically change the angle of the wheels while the vehicle was in motion. Since there is no direct article in the regulation that would prohibit its use, an agreement was reached that allowed the use of the system in 2020 and promised to get rid of the system in 2021.

After that, competing teams have three possible options:

1. Redesign the engine

Audi, Honda and Ferrari could try to redesign the engine as soon as possible and introduce a new design before the start of February testing to fully comply with current standards and FIA regulations. This includes quickly making technical changes, carrying out all necessary trial tests and checking compliance with the permitted parameters to avoid losing competitiveness at the beginning of the season.

However, there is no guarantee that the team will be able to achieve the same level of efficiency and, most importantly, engine reliability in a short time. The risks are extremely high and it is unlikely that anyone will have time to complete all the necessary work on time.

Complete changes will most likely not be made before the middle of the championship.

2. ADUO

Use the ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) procedure. This is a new concept that the FIA ​​has introduced into the engine regulations from the start of the 2026 season, providing additional opportunities for the development and modernization of power units. The aim of ADUO is to equalize the performance of engines from different manufacturers and prevent one from gaining the upper hand. According to the terms of the procedure, drivers who fall behind after every 6th, 12th and 18th race of the season are provided with certain reliefs, in particular an increase in the spending limit and additional testing hours.

3. Protests

​Submit protests for each race and try to prove that your opponents’ decisions were illegal during official investigations. Competing teams will most likely object to the clearly stated general clause of the rules: “Formula 1 cars must fully comply with the rules throughout the entire competition.”

This means that any deviation from the requirements, even temporary or under certain conditions, may be grounds for formal objection and sanctions.

Even so, a large-scale scandal broke out in F1 before the new generation cars even hit the track. This only raises expectations for the winter break.

Whether the advantage will really be that big, whether only two manufacturers can achieve it, and how this will affect the balance of power throughout the season; All of this makes the 2026 championship extremely interesting right now.

Popular resource The Athletic has chosen the ten best drivers of the championship based on the results of the Formula 1 season.

It would seem that there is nothing special here, but the list material seemed interesting enough to translate with the explanations of journalists.

Still, it is a matter of curiosity why champion Lando Norris cannot even be among the top 3 drivers of 2025.

The best drivers of the 2025 season

1.Max Verstappen

Wins: 8

Podiums: 15

Overall score: 2

Against teammate in qualifying: 24:0 (Lawson, Tsunoda)

“We showed them once again who the boss is.” These were the words Max Verstappen said in a radio conversation with his engineer after his victory in Abu Dhabi. Yes, Max failed to win a fifth title in a row and lost by two points to Lando Norris, but he had an incredible end to the season and showed his overall standing compared to his rivals.

Verstappen had fallen out of the title race in the summer, but he did everything to come back and showed his level at every opportunity.

Verstappen’s season was almost perfect; The exception was when he crashed into George Russell in the race in Barcelona. Perhaps the penalty for this incident and his 10th place at the finish line made Verstappen lose the championship.

Fans will remember the 2025 season as the one in which one of the most incredible comebacks in F1 history almost took place.

2.George Russell

Wins: 2

Podium: 9

Overall score: 4

Places against teammate: 21:3 (Antonelli)

“He doesn’t do anything, he always just comes third.” This meme became popular among F1 fans at the start of the season when Russell regularly appeared on the podium behind McLarens. But the Briton’s performance throughout the year has cemented his status as a champion-ready driver. The Mercedes car made it difficult to fight the favorites but George was always there and won two races.

Russell once again proved that he is among the best F1 drivers and has “championship material”. He just needs a car that will help him fight for the championship.

3.Charles Leclerc

Wins: 0

Podiums: 7

Overall score: 5

Ranking against teammate: 19:5 (Hamilton)

Ferrari created pre-season excitement and raised expectations, but failed to live up to expectations. The car was often only 4-5 paces but Charles made the most of it and took the podium seven times. His teammate Lewis Hamilton finished the year without a podium finish and completely lost the race in qualifying.

Ferrari stopped updating the car in April, but Leclerc pushed harder even when the team showed weakness. It was a strong season for him.

Charles goes on vacation feeling like he did his job well.

4. Lando Norris

Wins: 7

Podiums: 18

Overall ranking: 1

Ranking against teammate: 13:11 (Piastri)

You became champion and only finished 4th in the rankings? It may seem strange, but there are reasons why the champion is not the best when all factors are taken into account. Let’s start with the good: Lando is a champion. He did the right thing in dominating Mexico and Brazil in the most important part of the season, and he did the right thing in Abu Dhabi as well. There were also difficult moments: accidents in Jeddah and Canada, problems in Baku and difficulties in fighting with the partner for most of the season.

Is there room for progress? No doubt. Norris can still improve his performances and raise the bar. He proved he could do it.

5th Oscar Piastri

Wins: 7

Podiums: 16

Overall score: 3

Against teammate in qualifying: 11:13 (Norris)

Oscar performed very well for most of the season and topped the rankings of the best drivers during the summer break. He had minimum mistakes and maximum correct decisions, which makes you think: He is a champion. Piastri led for most of the championship, losing first place only to Mexico.

Piastri’s last victory came in the Netherlands and was followed by a disappointing weekend with many mistakes. While Norris and Verstappen reached the top, he missed out on the Oscar title.

In fact, he fell to third place in the overall rankings. But Piastri showed that he has the makings of a champion.

6. Fernando Alonso

Wins: 0

Podiums: 0

Overall score: 10

Eliminations against teammate: 24:0 (Navigation)

To use modern terminology, Alonso showed that “grandpa is still okay.” Aston Martin remained average but Alonso had many excellent performances. Even though the 44-year-old driver did not have a fast car for most of the season, he still does not lose his energy.

Alonso completed more than half of the season’s qualifying runs in the top 10 and beat teammate Lance Stroll 24:0 according to the results of all qualifying races. Fernando had almost no unsuccessful or “quiet” races. Considering the changes in technical rules in the new season, Aston Martin will have a chance.

No one knows what the team’s car will be like, but one thing is known: Alonso remains the best driver doing his best on the track.

7. Carlos Sainz

Wins: 0

Podiums: 2

Overall score: 9

Rankings against teammate: 15:9 (Albon)

The Spanish pilot needed time to get used to Williams’ car after leaving Ferrari. Sainz had problems, mistakes and accidents in the first half of the season. However, in the second half of the championship, Carlos took team leader status from teammate Alex Albon and took two podium finishes, including at Qatar, a circuit unsuitable for Williams’ car.

The team is clearly improving but the 2026 season will start with a clean slate for all participants. However, leaving Ferrari, Carlos showed that he could be the leader of a strong F1 team.

8. Isak Hagar

Wins: 0

Podiums: 1

Overall score: 12

Against teammate in qualifying: 16:6 (Tsunoda, Lawson)

Hajjar’s first season in Formula 1 started with disaster: a crash in the warm-up lap of the first race in Australia. Even Lewis’ father, Anthony Hamilton, calmed the driver down. But after that, Isak’s season got better and better. Two races later he scored his first points and won his first podium in the Netherlands, becoming the youngest Frenchman to finish in the top 3 in F1 history.

The qualifying statistics are also remarkable: Hadjar, driving a middling team’s car, finished in the top 10 16 times and crashed only once in the first segment.

All this was enough to earn a transfer to Red Bull for the 2026 season, where Isak will be Verstappen’s partner.

9.Oliver Berman

Wins: 0

Podiums: 0

Total score: 13

Ranking against teammate: 14:10 (Window)

F1 fans knew Berman could be a fast driver. Haas had issues with its car, but Berman largely avoided rookie mistakes and delivered when necessary. Oliver significantly improved his results after the summer break: this was especially evident in Mexico, where he finished fourth and was even able to get onto the podium. We repeat the best result in the team’s history.

Ollie scored 41 points, but 35 of them came in the second half of the season. In qualifying, Berman beat the much more experienced Esteban Ocon by 14:10.

The pilot confirmed only the positive course of his career in 2025.

10.Pierre Gasly

Wins: 0

Podiums: 0

Total score: 15

Places against teammate: 16:6 (Duane, Colapinto)

The French driver had major restrictions due to the car. Alpin’s weak car, which has hardly been updated during the year, did not prevent Gasly from showing his level. Many times the driver finished much higher than he should have, which showed his piloting class.

His best performance of the season came at Silverston, where he finished sixth in the wet. He finished in the top 10 11 times, beating Pierre, Albon, Tsunoda, Lawson and Berman in qualifying.

It’s been a difficult season for Alpine, with all efforts focused on 2026 and the new rules. If Gasly maintains his level and Alpin improves his car a little, then 6th place will not be the maximum for the Frenchman.

Translated by Sport.ua

Former Formula 1 driver Riccardo Patrese believes 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli has the chance to compete for the championship in his second season.

With changes to the technical rules, the power order in the starting lineup for the 2026 season may change significantly. Patrese added that Antonelli has already shown that he can be among the names to compete for the championship:

“If Mercedes builds the best car under the new rules, Antonelli should focus on fighting Russell, as he has already shown he can do, and the rest will follow,” Patrese said.

“To the championship title!” he replied when asked how far the young Italian could go next year.

If Antonelli manages to win the championship next season, he will become the first driver to win the title in his second season since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.

Patrese recorded Antonelli’s first year:

“He made his debut, had to learn everything and coped well with the inevitable mistakes that come with lack of experience. I really enjoyed it, he showed pure class moments.”

Antonelli took three podium finishes in his debut season, including an impressive weekend at Interlagos and a spectacular comeback at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.