Red Bull and Mercedes poised to spark fireworks in early F1 engine trick controversy

In recent days, Mercedes and Red Bull have frequently been in the news because of an alleged trick with the new engine for next year.

Formula 1's engine landscape faces potential upheaval as it has been suggested that the two teams have reportedly exploited a loophole in the 2026 power unit regulations, prompting fierce opposition from rival manufacturers.

The controversy centres around the sport's most significant technical shake-up in years. From 2026, the combustion engine to battery power ratio will shift dramatically from the current 80/20 split to an equal 50/50 distribution, making battery performance crucial for competitive advantage.

It has been claimed that both Mercedes and Red Bull have discovered a clever workaround regarding compression ratios. While the new regulations mandate a reduction from 18:1 in 2025 to 16:1 in 2026, the two teams have allegedly found methods to maintain approximately 18:1 compression during actual running without technically breaching FIA rules.

The potential gains are substantial. Circuit analysis suggests this could deliver an extra 15 horsepower and three-tenths of a second advantage at a track like Melbourne, where the season opens in early March, representing a significant performance boost in F1's increasingly tight competitive landscape.

Unsurprisingly, the remaining engine suppliers have reacted angrily. Honda, Audi and Ferrari are demanding immediate regulatory intervention, arguing the loophole undermines the spirit of the new regulations designed to level the playing field.

However, the FIA faces a challenging dilemma. With the Australian GP approaching and complex engine development cycles already underway, implementing sudden regulation changes would create impossible production timelines for manufacturers.

It means that, for now, the FIA is set to temporarily allow the trick.

Problems with the regulations?

The compression ratio controversy represents just one facet of the broader regulatory battles emerging ahead of 2026. The FIA recently amended technical regulations to prevent manipulation of the new fuel-flow meter, which switches from the current 100 kilograms per hour mass flow limit to a 3,000 megajoules per hour energy flow restriction.

Under the original regulatory wording, teams could potentially alter fuel-flow meter temperatures to manipulate measurements or change fuel composition readings. The FIA moved swiftly to close this loophole, stating clearly: "Any device, system or procedure whose purpose is to alter the temperature of the fuel-flow meter is prohibited."

The technical arms race is clearly intensifying as teams prepare for F1's switch to fully sustainable fuels, another cornerstone of the 2026 regulations designed to enhance the sport's environmental credentials.

Should Mercedes and Red Bull's alleged advantage materialise during the Australian GP, expect fireworks in the paddock. Rival teams are likely to lodge formal protests, potentially triggering lengthy technical disputes that could overshadow on-track action.

The 2026 season promises unprecedented unpredictability as teams navigate the most comprehensive regulatory overhaul in recent memory. Competition will intensify significantly if technical tricks provide genuine performance advantages, setting up potential battles both on circuit and in the stewards' room.

The new generation of cars will make their debut appearance during winter testing at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya in late January 2026, providing the first glimpse of how effectively teams have interpreted the revolutionary regulations.