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Red Bull aren’t taking part in the third day of F1’s Barcelona Shakedown. They were the only team to feature on both Monday and Tuesday.
Under the rules for the unique event, Red Bull can only run on one of the last three days. The last session will be devoted solely to Max Verstappen, who has only had 27 laps thus far.
Isack Hadjar set the fastest time on day one before crashing in the rain on Tuesday afternoon. The Red Bull took considerable damage, but this is unlikely to be the reason for their Wednesday no-show.
Should Red Bull be worried about Isack Hadjar’s testing crash?
Aside from Hadjar’s shunt, it has been an encouraging start to the test for Red Bull. With the help of Racing Bulls, their brand-new power unit completed 275 laps in the first two days.
Red Bull say they aren’t using fuel compression trick
It has been widely reported that Red Bull are using a loophole in F1’s 2026 engine rules. The maximum fuel compression ratio has been lowered from 18:1 to 16:1 this year.
But it remains possible to reach 18:1 when the engine is running, then comply with the FIA’s static tests. This was apparently Mercedes’ idea, but Red Bull Powertrains have recruited vast numbers of staff from Brixworth.
Should F1 give designers more freedom now that there’s a cost cap?
As reported by De Telegraaf, rival manufacturers have been complaining to the sport’s governing body. The matter was discussed in a meeting last week, but it’s unlikely that a real-time measuring device will be installed before 2027.
Red Bull insiders ‘strongly deny’ that they are using the same method as Mercedes. If true, then the Silver Arrows may have a unique advantage worth three-to-four-tenths per lap.
The F1 rule Mercedes are accused of breaking
Mercedes have corresponded with the FIA about fuel compression ratios and received the necessary assurances to proceed. As far as they’re concerned, as long as they pass the checks, the car is legal.
However, article 1.5 C of the F1 regulations states that teams must be in compliance with the regulations at all times during an event. That’s the rule Ferrari and co. can point to.
Mercedes-powered teams could face a protest after the Australian Grand Prix, though as it stands, it’s hard to see how such action will be successful.
If the FIA don’t intervene to curtail the horsepower advantage, then Mercedes and McLaren could be the only realistic 2026 title contenders. Equally, though, pre-season arguments over the rulebook often peter out once the competitive action begins.
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