Aston Martin\u2019s Andy Cowell insists every F1 power unit manufacturer is pushing the limits of the regulations amid intrigue surrounding a potential compression ratio loophole being exploited by some.<\/p>\n
Cowell and Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation, waded into discussions surrounding power unit compression ratios at the launch of its all-new F1 2026 engine in Japan, with the latter suggesting there are several areas of the regulations that need further discussion.<\/p>\n
Honda and Aston Martin discuss F1 power unit regulations amid 2026 loophole debate<\/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 This article was originally published on January 20 2026<\/p>\n Honda launched its all-new F1 2026 engine, dubbed the RA626H, in Tokyo on Tuesday as it switches its factory support to Aston Martin.<\/p>\n Team owner Lawrence Stroll shared the stage with Andy Cowell, Aston Martin\u2019s chief strategy officer, Honda Racing president Watanabe, and Toshihiro Mibe, president and CEO of Honda.<\/p>\n The quartet spoke of the new relationship as the Japanese marque formally returns to F1 having been somewhat at arm\u2019s length in the final years of its Red Bull partnership.<\/p>\n Honda\u2019s engine launch comes against a backdrop of intrigue\u00a0amid claims that two power unit manufacturers are exploiting regulations surrounding cylinder compression ratios.<\/p>\n More on F1 engines<\/p>\n F1 2026 uncovered: How Boost, Overtake, and sustainable fuel change the game<\/a><\/p>\n Explained: F1\u2019s complex power unit upgrade system<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s claimed that, since the defined 16:1 ratio is measured at ambient temperatures, it could be exploited once the engine heats up while on track.<\/p>\n That could lead to an increase in power and fuel efficiency, potentially offering a sizeable advantage at the start of a new regulation cycle.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year, as far as the new regulations, the interpretation of the regulation and the operations for it \u2013 so not just on this but also there are a lot of factors that need to come in discussion,\u201d Watanabe said through a translator.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s more to it. So we would like to keep them aside for now, but then we want to make it clear that we want to meet and comply to the regulations.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRegulations do not have everything listed very clearly,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the new regulations, we look into the possibility of the new technology for each of the different power units.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a lot of room for interpretation as well, and this is also part of the race.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the FIA, it\u2019s up to them to decide on whether it\u2019s good or bad.<\/p>\n \u201cFor Honda, we have a lot of different ideas and we would like to discuss with the FIA to understand if our ideas are accepted or if it\u2019s not okay.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s how we\u2019re going to proceed. We would always look to the FIA, to consult with them, on regulation related matters.\u201d<\/p>\n A veteran of the sport, Cowell was part of the team which developed the all-conquering Mercedes power unit that dominated F1 at the birth of the hybrid era in 2014.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s always a topic that bubbles up when new regulations come into place,\u201d Cowell observed.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery competitor reads the regulations and pushes performance to the limit.<\/p>\n \u201cCompression ratio is clearly a key thermal efficiency enabling aspect of an internal combustion engine, so you always push it to the limit.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure every single power unit manufacturer is doing that.<\/p>\n \u201cThe FIA have the job to make sure that everybody interprets the regulations in a fair and equal way, which is what\u2019s ongoing at the moment.\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