Ferrari calls for clarity from the FIA on 2026 engines: explanations on suspicions regarding Mercedes and Red Bull.The technical battle for 2026 has already begun, and this time it is not fought on track but in the regulations. Ferrari, Honda, and Audi have officially requested clarification in a letter sent to the FIA regarding a possible gray area exploited by Mercedes and Red Bull in the development of the new power units—a topic that risks becoming central even before winter testing begins.According to reports in recent weeks, Mercedes and Red Bull may have found a way to circumvent the compression ratio limit imposed by the new technical regulations. If confirmed, this solution could provide a significant performance advantage and disrupt the balance of power ahead of the new regulatory era.The compression ratio controversy
The disputed point concerns a specific clause in the FIA regulations: the maximum cylinder compression ratio set at 16.0 for 2026 engines. In the past, the limit was higher, at 18.0, allowing greater performance. The value was lowered also to make Formula 1 more attractive to new manufacturers.
The official measurement of the compression ratio, however, is done with the car stationary, under static conditions. This is where Mercedes and Red Bull’s interpretation could come into play. Once on track, at much higher temperatures, the engine materials undergo natural thermal expansion. The hypothesis is that both manufacturers manage to comply with the 16.0 limit during FIA checks, but achieve an effective value closer to 18.0 during actual engine operation.
If true, this would represent a potentially decisive technical advantage, especially at a stage where every tenth of a second matters.
Ferrari, Honda, and Audi request explanations: the letter to the FIA
Faced with this scenario, Ferrari, Honda, and Audi sent a joint letter to the FIA requesting immediate clarification. None of the three manufacturers want to find themselves in a position of having to chase a solution that could later be declared illegal, or worse, accepted after the fact.
For Ferrari, the issue is particularly delicate. In Maranello, work on the 2026 car is already at an advanced stage, and a potential green light for the Mercedes-Red Bull solution would force rapid and costly technical decisions. The risk is having to follow an interpretation developed elsewhere, with limited time and resources.
The FIA’s position and possible scenarios
The ball now passes to the FIA, which faces three possible paths. The first, most drastic, would be to explicitly ban this interpretation of the regulations. Such a choice would have a huge impact on Mercedes and Red Bull, but also on their customer teams, and seems unlikely just weeks before testing.
The second option is a compromise: allow the solution for 2026 only, imposing modifications starting in 2027. However, this scenario would likely not be accepted by Ferrari, Honda, and Audi, as it would create an initial advantage that would be very difficult to recover.
The third path is the most controversial: consider the solution legal and let all teams adapt. In this case, those who started early would still enjoy a valuable temporary advantage.
Dec 24, 2025Sofia Bianchi
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