Christian Horner has weighed in on the F1 2026 power unit compression ratio saga, dismissing claims that teams are \u201ccheating like wildcats.\u201d<\/p>\n
The former Red Bull team principal, who played a key role in developing the new engines, told Australia\u2019s Today show that Formula 1 is always about pushing the boundaries and interpreting regulations \u2014 and that the brightest engineers will naturally test the limits to gain an edge.<\/p>\n
Christian Horner: Rule interpretation at the heart of F1<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains have allegedly found a way to increase the compression ratio in their engines, within the rules, sparking concern among rivals.<\/p>\n Horner founded Red Bull Powertrains during his time as team principal of Red Bull, and was instrumental in the organisation through much of the F1 2026 power unit\u2019s development.<\/p>\n Now outside the F1 paddock, the 52-year-old has shared his opinion on the saga, scoffing at suggestions that manufacturers are \u201ccheating like wildcats.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a big statement,\u201d he began in an interview with the Today show in Australia.<\/p>\n \u201cFormula 1\u2019s about pushing the boundaries. It\u2019s about how you interpret regulations. Always has been and always will be.<\/p>\n \u201cTeams that are the most conservative are the teams that are never at the front of the grid. You\u2019ve got to be pushing the envelope.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, it\u2019s all about how you interpret regulations and engineers, some of the brightest engineers on the planet, will be looking at those regulations and thinking, okay, how can I maximise performance?\u201d<\/p>\n More on Christian Horner<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0Christian Horner set to lift lid on \u2018unforgiving\u2019 F1 as live tour announced<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0Red Bull boss hails Christian Horner as Ford engine era kicks off<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s alleged that interpretation has seen the compression ratio within the Mercedes and Red Bull Ford Powertrains unit increase from 16:1 when measured in ambient conditions to 18:1 while running on track.<\/p>\n Under the regulations, the compression ratio is measured when the engine is at ambient temperatures, with no measurements taken once its temperature rises \u2013 such as when under load.<\/p>\n A higher compression ratio boosts both produce fuel efficiency.<\/p>\n That could offer a significant performance advantage in the early stages of a new regulation era, compounded by the fact regulations limit how rivals can catch up.<\/p>\n Any early advantage, like a raised ratio, is effectively locked in once the power unit is homologated for the F1 2026 season.<\/p>\n It is that point that has been central to discussions among manufacturers and the FIA, with meetings held to discuss a potential way forward.<\/p>\n Audi, Honda, and Ferrari are all understood to have raised concerns to the governing body, triggering the initial meeting.<\/p>\n For the moment, that has netted little in the way of tangible outcomes, though there is a willingness to establish to agreed principles.<\/p>\n A further meeting has since been held, with the Power Unit Advisory Committee slated to meet on Thursday.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are still discussing with them [the FIA],\u201d said Enrico Gualtieri, Ferrari\u2019s engine technical director, at the Scuderia\u2019s season launch.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a meeting, a technical workshop and we are going to have an additional one in the next days, up to the [next] PUAC meeting.<\/p>\n \u201cSo we are approaching the topic together with them [the FIA]. We are certainly trusting them for managing the topic in the proper way, going through the procedures and the governance that is in place by regulation.<\/p>\n \u201cWe completely trust that the process could come in the next days and weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n The potential for any swift regulatory action appears unlikely, however, given neither Mercedes nor Red Bull would support such a move.<\/p>\n Between them, they provide power units for more than half the grid; Mercedes with four teams and Red Bull Ford Powertrains two.<\/p>\n Horner, meanwhile, is set to embark on a three-date Australian speaking tour in the days prior to the Australian Grand Prix \u2013 an event he is not expected to attend.<\/p>\n The ex-Red Bull boss will speak in Melbourne (February 24), Sydney (February 26), and Perth (March 2). \u201cIt\u2019s a great way just to reflect on my career, the highs, the lows, the sport, the drivers we\u2019ve had,\u201d Horner said.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully it\u2019ll be interesting, and people will enjoy a bit of a behind the scenes insight into the challenges of Formula 1.\u201d<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n