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Honda F1 boss hints at FIA action over engine loophole
Honda Racing president Koji Watanabe has suggested that the FIA may address an alleged F1 engine loophole in the 2026 regulations following concerns about Mercedes exploiting it.
During a meeting on January 22 with the FIA and F1 teams, discussions were held after suspicions that Mercedes had taken advantage of a loophole in the engine rules.
Competing power unit manufacturers like Audi, Honda, and Ferrari suspect that Mercedes, and potentially Red Bull Powertrains, are exploiting a compression ratio loophole in the engines.
The compression ratio in question had been reduced to 16:1 from 18:1 for the current season, yet Mercedes and Red Bull are believed to have found ways to run their engines at higher compression ratios on the track, giving them a potential 0.3 seconds advantage.
At Honda’s 2026 engine launch in Tokyo, Watanabe acknowledged the new regulations and suggested that the FIA would make a decision on the engines’ legality during the recent meeting with teams.
