P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Will the FIA be able to resolve the issue before the opening grand prix in Australia?
The FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis has confirmed that at least one F1 team has managed to pull off a power unit trick causing a controversy overshadowing the new season’s build-up.
New power units have attracted new manufacturers to F1, with Audi making its debut and Honda returning. Red Bull Powertrains has emerged, and General Motors is expected to join soon, powering F1’s new team, Cadillac.
The 50-50 split between combustion and electrical energy in F1 has been key, but a loophole found by Mercedes regarding compression ratios has caused uproar among rivals like Ferrari, Audi, and Honda.
Mercedes leveraged a higher compression ratio, sparking outrage. The FIA is working to address the issue before potential protests at the Australian Grand Prix.
Tombazis explained the need for a lower compression ratio to level the playing field for newer teams joining the sport, aiming to prevent them from falling behind established ones.
The FIA is now focused on preventing the compression ratio debate from escalating further before the start of the season in Melbourne.
