Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey admits he\u2019s \u201cbiased\u201d when it comes to Formula 1\u2019s engine controversy, given his team runs a Honda power unit.<\/p>\n
Even before the first grand prix of the F1 2026 season, there\u2019s drama off the track after Mercedes\u2019 rivals aligned against it amidst reports Mercedes HPP found a loophole, or grey area, in the new engine regulations.<\/p>\n
Adrian Newey admits \u2018bias\u2019 in engine saga<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust<\/p>\n The controversy relates to the compression ratio, which this year has dropped to 16:1 when measured in \u201cambient\u201d conditions.<\/p>\n Article C5.4.3 of the engine regulations states: \u201cNo cylinder of the engine may have a geometric compression ratio higher than 16.0. The procedure to measure this value will be detailed by each PU Manufacturer and executed at ambient temperature.\u201d<\/p>\n Mercedes, though, has found a way to increase that ratio to 18:1 in running conditions.<\/p>\n Its engine manufacturer rivals \u2013 Ferrari, Honda, Audi and Red Bull Powertrains \u2013 aren\u2019t happy.<\/p>\n Mercedes\u2019 competitors want a change in how compression ratios are measured when the engine is hot to negate any advantage Mercedes may gain.<\/p>\n This could be done by either using sensors when the cars are out on track or taking measurements in the garage when engines reach operating temperature.<\/p>\n It could come down to a supermajority vote, in which case Mercedes, and also its customers McLaren, Williams and Alpine, would most likely lose.<\/p>\n Asked about the situation, new Aston Martin<\/a> team principal Newey told Sky Sports News: \u201cI\u2019m biased, clearly.<\/p>\n \u201cI think everybody is aligned bar one manufacturer, so where that will end up, well, I guess find out in Melbourne.\u201d<\/p>\n More on Formula 1\u2019s engine controversy<\/p>\n Opinion: Formula 1 is undermining innovation with 2026 engine politics<\/a><\/p>\n Mercedes F1 2026 compression ratio debate nears boiling point ahead of homologation<\/a><\/p>\n Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has ruled out taking legal action<\/a> should Mercedes come up short in a vote, which would see the five engine manufacturers, the FIA, and F1 have a say.<\/p>\n Four of the five PUMs, as well as the FIA and FOM, would have to agree. The vote would not involve the individual teams.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no such scenario that we would sue anyone,\u201d Wolff told PlanetF1.com and other media in Bahrain.<\/p>\n \u201cFormula 1, in my opinion, it\u2019s more essential than ever that you know what the rules are, but engineering ingenuity is always respected and and that\u2019s why we are always going to respect the governance of the sport, and if the governance of the sport decides to change the rules, against or for our position, we just have to get along with it.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked about the possibility of a supermajority, which would have to include the FIA, the Austrian said motorsport\u2019s governing body had been kept in the know throughout the process as Mercedes HPP designed its new power unit.<\/p>\n \u201cThe sport is full of surprises, so there is never a situation where you can say you\u2019re sure about anything all along the process,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, when you design an engine, you\u2019re keeping the FIA very close to the decisions you make and that\u2019s what we did, and we have had all the assurances that what we did was according to the rule.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not even like we\u2019re talking about some massive performance gain, and that\u2019s what it was.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I think all of our competitors got a little bit aggrieved and lobbied the FIA for a long time, and we trust in the governance of the Power Unit Advisory Committee. We\u2019ll see how that goes.\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