P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull has cast doubt on claims that Mercedes has nailed the new F1 power unit regulations, believing it will not hold an advantage, and is attacking its bitter rival.
Red Bull has raised doubts about Mercedes mastering the new Formula 1 power unit regulations, suggesting they may not have an advantage and launching an attack on their fierce rivals.
As the countdown to pre-season testing continues, there is a heated debate about which manufacturer has truly understood the intricate new power unit rules.
Mercedes had a significant performance edge in 2014 when the previous engine regulations were introduced, dominating the field at the beginning of the turbo hybrid era.
Speculation suggests that Mercedes might have again found an advantage over its competitors, particularly by exploiting an engine compression ratio loophole.
Red Bull’s Technical Director, Ben Hodgkinson, who previously worked at Mercedes HPP, rejected these claims, hinting that the hype was mostly initiated by Mercedes themselves in an effort to address their lack of competitiveness.
Both Red Bull and Mercedes are gearing up for a potential head-to-head battle for the championship in 2026, with Hodgkinson looking forward to letting their on-track performance speak for itself amid the rising tension between the two teams.
