FIA Set to Debate F1 2026 Engine Compression Loophole

Formula 1, Sportrik Media – FIA will convene a special technical meeting on 22 January ahead of Formula 1 winter testing in Barcelona, with growing focus on a potential compression-ratio loophole in the 2026 power unit regulations that is believed to have been exploited by Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains.

At the heart of the controversy lies the internal combustion engine (ICE) compression ratio, which has been reduced from 18:1 to 16:1 under the new rules to make the regulations more accessible to new manufacturers. While all power units must pass static FIA checks at ambient temperature, it has emerged that some manufacturers may be able to operate at higher effective compression ratios once the engine reaches full operating temperature on track.

This interpretation is supported by Article C5.4.3, which states that compliance is verified solely under static conditions at ambient temperature, using a procedure approved by the FIA and included in each manufacturer’s homologation dossier. Under this framework, teams that pass the static test can argue they are operating legally, even if real-world running conditions yield a higher ratio.

However, rival manufacturers Audi, Scuderia Ferrari and Honda point to Article C1.5, which requires Formula 1 cars to comply with the regulations at all times during competition. Since the 16:1 compression limit is explicitly stated, they argue that it must also apply when the engine is operating at full temperature on track.

For now, the FIA is expected to maintain the existing measurement procedures, though it has left open the possibility of future regulatory clarification or change. A spokesperson confirmed that the 22 January meeting had been scheduled well in advance and will also address the new chassis regulations, although the compression ratio issue is expected to dominate technical discussions.

The regulations already include a safeguard through the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) mechanism, which allows manufacturers that fall behind in combustion engine performance to gain extra upgrades. Power is assessed every six races, with those trailing by 2–4% receiving one additional update and those more than 4% behind allowed two.

 Nevertheless, adjusting compression ratios is technically complex, which is why Audi, Ferrari and Honda continue to lobby for clearer measurement procedures and regulatory certainty.

With pre-season testing in Barcelona approaching, the FIA’s handling of this issue will shape the competitive balance at the very start of the 2026 Formula 1 era, a regulatory battle that remains under close scrutiny by Sportrik Media at https://sportrik.com.