FIA and F1 manufacturers reach compromise on engine controversy
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
The governing FIA said in a statement on Saturday that amendments to the 2026 Formula One regulations had been approved unanimously by an e-vote of its World Motor Sport Council.
LONDON – Formula One’s governing body and manufacturers have reached a compromise solution to tackle an engine controversy that had threatened to overshadow next week’s start of the season in Australia.
The sport is entering a new era with the biggest changes in decades to the engine and chassis regulations.
Engine compression ratios have been a major talking point, with Mercedes suspected of exploiting a loophole to gain performance through the thermal expansion of components.
The governing FIA said in a statement on Feb 28 that amendments to the 2026 Formula One regulations had been approved unanimously by an e-vote of its World Motor Sport Council.
“A significant effort has been invested in finding a solution to the topic of the compression ratio,” it said.
“The FIA has worked to find a compromise solution which determines that the compression ratio will be controlled in both hot and cold conditions from June 1, 2026 and subsequently only in the operating conditions... from 2027 onwards.”
The governing body had initially proposed voting on compliance “not only at ambient conditions but also at a representative operating temperature of 130 deg C” from Aug 1.
An August date would have covered more than half the 24-race season before any change was implemented.
Mercedes supply their V6 engines to four of the 11 teams – champions McLaren as well as their own works team, Williams and Renault-owned Alpine.
The remaining manufacturers are Red Bull, who are now making their own engines and supply sister team Racing Bulls; Audi; Honda (Aston Martin); and Ferrari – who also supply Haas and Cadillac.
The compression ratio of the engines is limited in the regulations to 16:1, measured in cold conditions.
While all engines comply with that measurement, Mercedes are suspected of having gained a significant advantage by finding a way to expand the ratio when the engine is running hot.
“Further evaluation and technical checks on energy management matters are ongoing,” the FIA added.
In other news, officials are “closely monitoring” the situation in the Middle East ahead of April’s races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Retaliatory missile strikes rocked the region on Feb 28 after the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran.
After the Australian Grand Prix on March 8, the sport then goes to China and Japan before heading to the Middle East for races in Bahrain (April 12) and Saudi Arabia (April 19).
“Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan and not in the Middle East – those races are not for a number of weeks,” an F1 spokesperson said, per the Associated Press.
“As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities.” REUTERS
