P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 team chief fears ‘sitting a season out’
Audi F1 chief Mattia Binotto is concerned that losing to rivals due to a loophole in the new engine regulations could mean missing out on an entire season.
Binotto and his Audi team are preparing for their debut season in Formula 1, both as a power unit manufacturer and as a team on the grid.
The sport is undergoing significant changes with new regulations impacting aerodynamic design and power units, particularly the 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid engines with a focus on electrical energy and a revised Energy Recovery System (ERS).
Recent speculation suggests Mercedes and Red Bull may have exploited a loophole related to compression ratios, potentially providing a performance advantage of 0.3 seconds per lap or 15 brake horsepower.
The FIA has called a meeting to address this issue, emphasizing the importance of upholding fair competition in the new era of Formula 1.
Binotto expressed concern that this loophole could significantly impact performance and hopes the FIA will make the right decisions to maintain competitive balance.
Audi, entering F1 as one of the five power unit manufacturers in 2026, will face challenges but benefits from inheriting an established team in Sauber, aiming to build on their midfield presence and strive for the World Championship by 2030 in line with their long-term goals.
