The FIA has moved to close off a clever F1 2026 qualifying trick being exploited by Mercedes and Red Bull.<\/p>\n
Mercedes and Red Bull were named in widespread reports last winter that some F1 2026 power unit manufacturers have exploited a loophole in the new engine regulations related to compression ratios.<\/p>\n
FIA intervenes over Mercedes, Red Bull qualifying trick<\/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 saga came to a head prior to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix when the FIA announced that changes to the way compression ratios are measured will come into effect from June 1.<\/p>\n Following the recent Japanese Grand Prix, it emerged that Mercedes and Red Bull had also been exploiting a clever engine trick in qualifying conditions.<\/p>\n As first reported by The Race, Red Bull and Mercedes had found a way to circumvent mandatory power reduction requirements on the approach to the timing line on qualifying laps, which normally sees cars reduce energy deployment by 50 kilowatts per second.<\/p>\n All eyes on ADUO: The F1 2026 engine safety net<\/p>\n What is ADUO? The FIA lifeline that could rescue Honda<\/a><\/p>\n Explained: F1\u2019s complex power unit upgrade system<\/a><\/p>\n Avoiding this so-called \u2018ramp-down effect\u2019 allowed Mercedes and Red Bull to maintain maximum deployment for longer, gaining advantages of around 50-100kW over their competitors whose power was being gradually reduced.<\/p>\n The trick took advantage of a rule allowing teams to shut down the MGU-K to prevent component damage during technical problems.<\/p>\n Although the MGU-K shutdown triggers a 60-second lockout period that would normally prove hugely costly in racing situations, the effect of no power from the MGU-K is negligible on a cooldown lap in qualifying conditions.<\/p>\n Following complaints from rival teams, PlanetF1.com understands that the FIA has issued a technical directive making it clear that the trick should only be used in emergency situations, as originally intended, and not in the search for performance gains.<\/p>\n It is said that Ferrari raised safety concerns with the FIA over the trick over recent weeks.<\/p>\n Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull\u2019s Max Verstappen were both seen moving slowly through the fast esses section in practice in Japan, with the Mercedes-powered Williams of Alex Albon stopping on track at Suzuka due to complications with the trick.<\/p>\n Rival teams are understood to have first noticed Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains-engined cars employing the trick in Australia.<\/p>\n The trick was not used at the second race in China due to the relatively short distance between the final corner and the timing line.<\/p>\n Additional reporting by Thomas Maher<\/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