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The dispute over Mercedes’ 2026 Formula 1 engine shows no signs of fizzling out, even though the Silver Arrows are adamant about its legality.
Toto Wolff angrily hit out at Mercedes’ rivals earlier this week, accusing them of trying to ‘find excuses’. As far as he’s concerned, the regulations are ‘very clear’.
Mercedes have apparently found a way to achieve a compression ratio of 18:1 while the car is on track, exceeding the maximum of 16:1. The W17 is compliant when the engine is cold, ensuring it passes FIA checks.
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The other manufacturers want the FIA to expand their measurements to effectively close the loophole, but this rule change must be voted through.
Red Bull informed rival teams about Mercedes engine trick
A report on Friday claimed that Red Bull are ready to vote with Ferrari if such a proposal is formalised. Together with Audi and Honda, they can form a majority against Mercedes.
However, journalist Julianne Cerasoli says Red Bull have been on Ferrari’s side since the beginning.
They were the first team who discovered what Mercedes were doing and they tried to copy them. As newcomers to the engine scene, they failed to replicate the technology.
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It was then that they decided to inform their fellow teams, which is how the story ‘leaked’ in the first place.
It’s worth noting that Christian Horner boasted of hiring hundreds of engineers from Mercedes, which might explain how they caught wind of the idea.
Mercedes were ‘heavily involved’ in writing F1 engine rules
As another journalist, Jorge Peiro, points out on X, Mercedes were ‘heavily involved’ in drafting the 2026 engine regulations. A combination of ‘ingenuity’ and an unrivalled understanding of the rulebook helped them outwit the FIA.
Mercedes received written assurances that they were acting within the rules, but it’s clear that the FIA are under mounting pressure.
Competitors have been frantically trying to work out the precise methodology and no doubt inundated the sport’s governing body with queries. If Mercedes win the Australian GP – they are currently the favourites – and spark a string of protests, it will damage the image of the championship.
Mercedes’ chairman is willing ‘to go to court’ if the FIA impose a clampdown, so it may be that this controversy has only just begun.
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