P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The 2026 F1 season has yet to start, but there are already rumours of a conflict between the engine manufacturers. What exactly is going on?
In the world of Formula 1, Mercedes and Red Bull are making headlines due to allegations of manipulating the new engine for the upcoming season. The two teams are said to have exploited a loophole in the 2026 power unit regulations, causing uproar among rival manufacturers. This controversy revolves around a major technical shift in the sport, with a planned change to a 50/50 combustion engine to battery power ratio from the current 80/20 split. Both Mercedes and Red Bull have reportedly found a smart way to maintain high compression ratios within the new regulations without breaking any rules, potentially gaining a significant performance advantage on the track. Despite protests from Honda, Audi, and Ferrari regarding the fairness of competition, the FIA is facing a tough decision on how to regulate the situation without disrupting the ongoing engine development processes of the teams, indicating that the trick may remain allowed for the time being.
