F1 2026 will usher in the sport’s new era, and early in the running it will be crucial for teams to have as many advantages in hand as possible, as not just race wins, but both world titles will be on the line.
Mercedes are rumoured to have exploited key engine regulations loophole. Photo: Race Pictures
One only needs to look back at Brawn GP’s precocious double-title success in 2009, which gave birth to one of the sport’s greatest underdog stories.
Back then, a remarkable piece of aerodynamic ingenuity propelled the team to a historic title in their debut season, cementing their status as F1’s ultimate one-hit wonder.
In 2026, however, with the technical regulation revamp representing not only one of the biggest changes in F1 history but also one of the most restrictive, teams have dived deep into the rulebook to do what they do best: hunt for loopholes.
One such area is with an increase in engine compression ratios, with reports claiming that Mercedes have found a method to mitigate clipping – when the new generation of F1 cars reach a power output limit while on long straights – a role previously fulfilled by the MGU-H until its removal after the final race in Abu Dhabi, which also eliminated the turbo’s inherent lag.
Engine manufacturers’ attempts to deny customer team access to fuel
In 2026, F1 cars will run on fully sustainable, environmentally responsible fuel, produced largely from organic biomass and residual waste. With its implementation being a first for the sport, sizeable performance margins are there to be exploited, and already a power unit supplier and one of its customers have locked horns.
GPblog understands one power unit manufacturer has attempted to deny a customer team access to a specific fuel specification, highlighting just how significant the fuel’s performance impact could be.
Customer teams have since demanded access to the correct fuel for their respective engines, pulling back the curtain on a new and fiercely contested front in Formula 1’s relentless war for competitive advantage.
Here you can review who the F1 teams’ fuel suppliers are.‘Mercedes and Red Bull have an edge’Rumors claim some manufacturers complained to the FIA about a loophole in the 2026 F1 power unit rules that Mercedes and Red Bull Ford may be exploiting. F1’s governing body has since clarified the rulebook to prevent any rule breach. Read the full story here.
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