Formula 1 manufacturers are to meet with the FIA later this month in regards to the contentious issue of the engine compression within its new rulebook.
2026 sees F1 enter a new regulations cycle, its cornerstone being a brand-new V6 hybrid engine, which has shifted from 80-20 in favour of internal combustion to an equal split.
It has given the OEMs [Audi, Ferrari, Honda, Mercedes and Red Bull Ford] a fresh challenge to decipher, making the forthcoming season one of the hardest to predict in years.
But with that has come controversy, with the wording of the new regulations enabling teams to potentially find a loophole to ensure a performance advantage.
Mercedes and Red Bull have reportedly been the teams to have taken this step, incurring the risk of a ‘suicidal’ move to do so, as per the FIA’s single seater director Nikolas Tombazis.
Whilst it has been interpreted that the ceiling for a compression ratio in the new power units will be 16:1, but the German and Austrian marques have allgedly gambled.
Both teams are said to have come up with an engine that will measure at a maximum of 16:1, but only in ambient temperatures, reaching a higher ratio when hotter.
This means that not only would their respective units be able to produce more horsepower than their rivals, but also be more economic in their fuel useage.
Initially, the FIA were apparently content with Mercedes’ interpretation of the rules, but Audi, Ferrari and Honda penned a letter to the sport’s governing body seeking clarity.
Whilst it initially appeared that the best those manufacturers could hope for would be to lodge an official protest at Round 1 in Australia, the FIA is moving to hopefully nip things in the bud earlier.
The meeting is set to be held on January 22, just four days before all teams are due to put their new machines on the track for the first time at the Circuit de-Barcelona Catalunya.
FIA to ‘assess the situation’ to ensure fair play between all F1 manufacturers
The FIA has subsequently issued a statement to media, which reads: “As is customary with the introduction of new regulations, discussions on the 2026 iteration covering power unit and chassis are ongoing.
“The meeting planned for 22 January is between technical experts.
“As always, the FIA assesses the situation in order to make sure the regulations are understood and applied in the same manner between all the participants.”
The lateness in the discovery of the apparently loophole exploitaton means that any potential change in the rules are not likely to be implemented until 2027.
Two mooted ideas are to be either more stringently-worded guidelines to ensure the same ratio is met by all teams in all conditions, or to do away with the ratio ceiling altogether.
But the discontented squads are said to be hopeful of a quick shift than this, aiming for a swift resolution by the summer break.
READ MORE – FIA reveals pre-season predictions for F1 2026 rules changes
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