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Mercedes’ status as the 2026 F1 world championship favourites is under threat amid talk of a late change to the rules. The FIA could close a powerful loophole that the German manufacturer have been exploiting.
The maximum fuel compression ratio is set at 16:1 under the 2026 regulations. However, rival teams believe Mercedes have found a way to reach 18:1 when the engine is hot out on track.
As it stands, the FIA only test the engines at room temperature, so the alleged breach wouldn’t be detected. Mercedes’ rivals have joined together to complain.
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The seven teams not supplied by the Silver Arrows could vote through a late rule change that would see the FIA expand their checks. This would force Mercedes to make late alterations to their power unit and cost them the reported horsepower advantage.
Mercedes have made ’empty threat’ to pull their cars out of Australian Grand Prix
It emerged on Wednesday that the Mercedes-engined cars may be ‘unable to start’ the Australian Grand Prix if the rules are changed less than a month out.
But Blick have now revealed that Mercedes have ‘threatened’ not to field their cars at all. In addition to their works team, world champions McLaren, Williams and Alpine would also be absent.
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This would clearly be disastrous for Formula 1, though Blick insist it’s ‘an empty threat’. On top of everything else, there are contracts to be fulfilled.
Still, it’s clear that the stakes are high. If Mercedes’ fuel compression trick is allowed, it could cement their advantage, but if it is wiped out, they could be in disarray.
Toto Wolff admits Mercedes may be ‘screwed’ in F1 engine debate
It was initially thought that the proposed rule change would have to wait until 2027, but Mercedes’ rivals appear to have the votes to push it through sooner. If that’s the case, there’s no reason for them to wait.
If they can’t replicate Mercedes’ technology, they won’t allow them to race with what they consider an illegal engine.
The FIA have previously assured Mercedes that they were compliant with the regulations, but that was before the details were leaked to their competitors.
If the FOM and the FIA now choose to vote against Mercedes, Wolff admits that they will be ‘screwed’.
“It’s not only the teams, you need the votes from the governing body, and you need the votes from the commercial rights holder, and if they decided to share an opinion and an agenda, then you’re screwed,” he told Autosport.
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