Mercedes becoming ‘more heated’ as FIA engine row continues during 2026 Bahrain testing

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Mercedes are at the centre of controversy in Bahrain as rival teams are questioning the legality of their 2026 power unit.

Rumours suggested before the new year that Mercedes would have the fastest engine under the new technical regulations. While they and their drivers have been quick to play this down, they may have found an advantage.

Mercedes have found a loophole in the compression ratio of the power unit, which was lowered to 16:1 in 2026. They will be allowed to exceed this if it passes FIA tests when the engine is cool, causing uproar amongst their rivals.

Are Mercedes’ rivals hiding behind 2026 ‘excuses’?

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Red Bull caught wind of Mercedes’ antics and leaked the information to Ferrari, Audi and Honda, once they could not pull off the trick themselves. This has led to the FIA being inundated with complaints, and they are set to decide whether the loophole is legal in Bahrain.

Honda are ‘furious’ with Mercedes over the situation, but understandably, so are the Silver Arrows with the other manufacturers. They insist that their car is legal, having read between the lines of the regulations.

Mercedes are becoming ‘more heated’ over FIA engine row during Bahrain testing

In fact, according to a report from Auto Motor und Sport, the ‘tone’ within the Mercedes camp is ‘becoming more heated’ as the situation in Bahrain develops.

Toto Wolff emphatically blasted Mercedes’ rivals over their complaints to the FIA, telling them to focus on their own cars rather than penalise them over how they have interpreted the rules.

Williams boss James Vowles has said that his team’s car is ‘fully compliant with the regulations’ and that Mercedes are ‘incredibly good at reading rule changes’. But Red Bull, Ferrari, Audi and Honda are not backing down.

Only time will tell what the FIA decide to do, but Mercedes have claimed that if a ‘new measurement method is introduced at short notice’, they and their customers might not make it to the Australian Grand Prix.

That includes the works Mercedes team, Williams, Alpine, and, more worryingly, defending champions McLaren. The engine row is reaching the breaking point, and it could be a disastrous outcome either way.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage

What is likely to happen with the FIA’s 2026 engine row?

Everyone will be wondering what the FIA will decide to do with the compression ratio in the engines. If it is approved, then Mercedes will have a significant advantage, but if it is changed, then it could put them on the back foot as their work over the winter would be for nothing.

F1 ‘leadership figures’ feel the situation has been overblown. The sport is a ‘long way’ away from deciding on a solution, as it is always likely that manufacturers will come up with different ideas whenever there is a regulation change.

In fact, the FIA’s engine chief approved Mercedes’ power unit and has assured them that their machine is legal. Whether they stick to that verdict is another question at this stage.

The FIA has given a hint that the loophole will be banned in the future. Ultimately, one team dominating the F1 is bad news from a sporting aspect and also commercially, as owners Liberty Media will want to see a showdown between multiple outfits.