P1racenews AI automatic summary:
FIA confirm F1 engine update as rivals rage about Mercedes monster
The FIA have provided an update on a potential loophole in the F1 engine rules discovered by Mercedes and Red Bull. The controversy revolves around the compression ratio of the internal combustion engine, which has been reduced to 16:1 for 2026 from the previous 18:1. Currently, the ratio can only be measured in static tests, where both teams comply with the 16:1 rule. Allegedly, Mercedes and Red Bull can achieve a higher ratio at higher temperatures, reportedly gaining up to 0.3 seconds per lap. Meetings were held with the manufacturers to discuss measuring compression rates at high temperatures, with a future update expected from the FIA. Additionally, Mercedes’ Toto Wolff sent a message to F1 rivals urging them to focus on their own performance rather than creating distractions.
