Ferrari are now lobbying the FIA about Mercedes using a ‘loophole’ in the 2026 F1 engine regulations

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A huge storm is now brewing in the F1 world ahead of the 2026 regulations, as Ferrari are concerned that Mercedes have already found a ‘loophole’ in the new engine rules.

Next year will see Formula 1 introduce its biggest overhaul of the technical regulations ever, with the engine rules a vital part of the overhaul. F1 is increasing the electrical aspect of the engine formulae to a 50/50 share with combustion power, along with removing the MGU-H.

F1 will also move to fully sustainable fuels in 2026, when the series will also introduce active aerodynamics for the first time as part of a vast overhaul to aid the new engine rules. Power units are expected to be the main performance differentiator under the 2026 F1 regulations.

Additionally, Mercedes are widely expected to have the best 2026 F1 regulations engine and return to the front of the field, after struggling throughout the ground-effect era from 2022-2025. But how Mercedes have designed their 2026 engine has triggered the alarm at Ferrari.

Ferrari fear Mercedes have found a 2026 F1 engine rules ‘trick’ worth three-tenths of a second

That is according to Motorsport-Magazin, which reports that a dispute between the engine manufacturers has been ‘raging for some time’ due to how some have interpreted the new rules. So, Ferrari, Honda and Audi are now lobbying the FIA to put an end to the ‘loophole’.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2026 F1 engine and aero regulations

Mercedes and possibly Red Bull, who will become an F1 engine constructor for the first time in 2026 as Honda has moved to Aston Martin, are believed to have found a way to increase the compression ratio during operation from the 16:1 ratio permitted under F1’s 2026 rules.

F1 has reduced the compression ratio, which is the ratio of the total cylinder volume before compression to the remaining volume after compression, from 18:1 to 16:1. But Mercedes are thought to have discovered a ‘trick’ to still reach a combustion ratio of 18:1 during operation.

The engine constructors who fear Mercedes have found a ‘loophole’ in the 2026 regulations fear the increased combustion ratio could be worth as much as three-tenths of a second per lap. If the FIA is unable to disprove these fears, a ‘wave of protests’ is expected in Australia.

The FIA does not rule out late changes to the 2026 F1 engine regulations

An FIA spokesperson told Motorsport-Magazin that “the issue will continue to be discussed in technical forums with the engine manufacturers”. Also, the FIA is not currently ruling out adjusting the engine regulations, but any changes would come too late for the early rounds.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2026 F1 season, including race dates

Mercedes have widely been expected to be the F1 team that adapts to the new engine rules the best for some time. In contrast, there have often been concerns that Ferrari’s engine for the 2026 F1 regulations will be behind the eight ball when the new power unit rules arrive.

Additionally, it is now being reported that there are concerns about the reliability of Ferrari’s 2026 rules engine, with the Maranello squad frantically working to avoid starting the year at a disadvantage. Also, Red Bull’s 2026 engine is expected to be off the pace by two-tenths.

If Mercedes have, indeed, found a loophole that will give them as much of an advantage as three-tenths of a second a lap, then the Silver Arrows and engine customer teams McLaren and Williams will expect to dominate when the 2026 season starts in Australia on March 8.