FIA Confirms Meeting Amid 2026 Power Unit Speculation
Amid rumors of a potential engine 'trick' by Mercedes and Red Bull for 2026, the FIA has scheduled a customary meeting with power unit suppliers to ensure consistent regulation application.
The FIA has confirmed a meeting with Formula 1 power unit suppliers for January 22, following rumors that Mercedes and Red Bull Ford may have found a way to bypass the 2026 regulations for a significant power gain. The federation, however, states the meeting is a customary technical discussion ahead of a major regulation change. The goal is to ensure all participants have a uniform understanding and application of the new power unit and chassis rules.
Why it matters:
The 2026 season represents one of the biggest technical overhauls in recent F1 history, with new engine regulations designed to close the competitive gap. Any loophole or 'trick' that provides a rumored four-tenths of a second per lap advantage would be a game-changer, potentially deciding the championship before it even begins. The FIA's proactive approach aims to prevent a costly 'arms race' and ensure the new regulations deliver on their promise of closer, more competitive racing.
The details:
- The rumors specifically suggest Mercedes and Red Bull Ford have found a way to run an engine with a higher than the mandated 16:1 compression ratio under certain conditions.
- This alleged exploit could be worth a staggering 0.4 seconds per lap, a massive margin in modern F1.
- The FIA's statement emphasized the meeting is a 'customary' procedure for new regulations, involving technical experts to ensure rules are understood and applied uniformly.
- The meeting is scheduled for January 22, ahead of the first pre-season tests where teams will debut their 2026 machinery.
What's next:
All eyes will be on the outcome of the January 22 meeting, where the FIA is expected to provide clarifications or potentially close any perceived loopholes in the 2026 power unit regulations. Suppliers who may not have been aware of or able to exploit this potential trick will be keen to see a level playing field established. Ultimately, this situation highlights the intense technical battle already brewing for 2026, even before the new cars hit the track.