Source:REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
[Saba Sports News] The controversy surrounding the compression ratio rules for the 2026 season’s power units continues to grow. Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok publicly stated that the Mercedes team is being sly. It is reported that the Mercedes team is exploiting the wording of the rules to achieve a compression ratio exceeding the specified limit under high track temperatures, while team principal Toto Wolff publicly praised the Red Bull-Ford power unit as the best-performing one, seemingly attempting to shift the focus of the issue.
According to the new regulations, the engine compression ratio must not exceed 16:1 when measured at ambient temperatures. However, reports indicate that Mercedes’s design can reach 18:1 during high-temperature engine operation, potentially providing a significant single-lap advantage in extreme conditions. As a result, Ferrari, Audi, Honda, and the Red Bull power unit division are pushing for changes in the testing methodology to include regulation of the compression ratio under high-temperature conditions.
As per the procedure, if four out of the five engine manufacturers reach an agreement with the FIA and F1, they can modify the rules through a vote, even if Mercedes opposes it. Wolff acknowledged that the situation has changed in recent weeks, but emphasized that even if the vote goes against them, the team will not pursue legal action and will respect the decisions of the governing body.