Mercedes may face a new FIA engine ‘inspection’ after factory shutdown

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The FIA could impose stricter tests on Formula 1 engines after the summer break, according to a report.

Mercedes are widely seen as the benchmark in the power unit department, which has helped them win all five races and two out of three Sprints so far. Red Bull are thought to be their closest challenger.

Even before the season started, there was controversy around the Mercedes engine. They were accused by rivals of breaching the fuel compression ratio limit of 16:1, which would offer considerable horsepower benefits.

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In an attempt to end the debate, the FIA decided to change their measurement procedure. Starting at the Monaco Grand Prix, they will test the engines when hot, rather than allowing them to cool.

The theory among rivals was that Mercedes were exceeding the permitted ratio while on track, which was previously undetectable.

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According to Motorsport Italia, Mercedes representatives are ‘confident’ that the new Monaco directive won’t reduce their advantage over the field in a meaningful way.

Indeed, reports suggest that Mercedes already passed the FIA’s new tests months ago, so they know they’ll be in the clear without making any hardware changes.

However, there are now unconfirmed ‘rumours’ that the sport’s governing body will begin even tighter ‘inspections’ following the summer break in August, which could have greater ramifications for the Silver Arrows.

With teams obliged to shut down their factories for two weeks during the summer, they will need clarity soon if they are forced to modify their current design.

Ferrari have led the complaints about the Mercedes engine despite Toto Wolff’s defiant remarks in public. It seems they are still exerting pressure.

Even if there’s no discernible change to the pecking order before the break, it may not be the end of the matter. The question is whether it’s too late for the non-Mercedes-powered teams, like Ferrari and Red Bull, to claw back the deficit.

Lead Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc is currently 56 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli, while the Scuderia are 72 off the pace in the constructors’.