F1: Formula One moves to close loophole in new engine rules
Formula One’s governing body moved to close a suspected loophole in the new engine regulations on Wednesday by proposing a change from August.
The FIA said in a statement that it had recently launched an e-vote on changing the assessment of the power unit compression ratio in running condition.
It said that from August 1, compliance with the limit “must be demonstrated not only at ambient conditions but also at a representative operating temperature of 130 degrees Celsius”.
The current rules state the maximum compression ratio of 16:1 is to be measured at ambient conditions but Mercedes, which insists its engines are completely legal, is claimed to have found a way to exceed this when the engine is running at temperature.
Mercedes supplies engines to champion McLaren as well as its own works team, Williams and Renault-owned Alpine.
If the proposal is accepted for August, that would still give it and customer teams the first 13 races of the 24-round season before any change.
Red Bull, which is now making its own engines, also supplies sister team Racing Bulls. Audi, Honda (Aston Martin) and Ferrari are the remaining engine manufacturers.
Team boss Laurent Mekies said on Wednesday he welcomed clarity. “We don’t think it’s noise,” he said, after Williams chief James Vowles had used that expression.
“It’s true that it is early days, but it will come along very quickly where it’s a competitive advantage—whether it’s one, two, three, whatever number of tenths is going to make a difference.”
The FIA’s Formula One commission also discussed issues that have emerged from testing the new cars, with the sport undergoing a major revamp to the chassis rules.
“Further evaluation and technical checks on energy-management matters will be carried out over the following three days at the second pre-season test in Bahrain,” the statement said.
Published on Feb 19, 2026