2026 Drama: Alleged engine loophole

[WardenOfTheNorth]

To those arguing about how a judge would interpret it, let us not forget that the legal principle of contra proferentem, so ambiguity in the rules would benefit Mercedes and RBPT.

[basti313]

To those arguing about how a judge would interpret it, let us not forget that the legal principle of contra proferentem, so ambiguity in the rules would benefit Mercedes and RBPT.

I think the judge argument is just wrong. There was no judge when wings were flexing in a way that you had them disappear on the front camera.
There is a defined measurement for the wing and for the compression. Not a judge deciding anything, but a measurement deciding.

I do though agree that the rewording in october is massively suspicious.

Well, it is...but the chance of that being added because someone hat 16.1:1 when hot and asked for a clarification is similarly realistic as someone asking because they have 17:1 or more.
So I would not read too much into this.

The reaction from Toto is more interesting. He clearly never said that there is no trick. He always said that what they do is by the rule

[Snorked]

Reports now saying the FIA will test at hot temperatures.

https://www.formulapassion.it/f1/f1-new ... ioni-caldo

According to Corriere dello Sport, the FIA ​​has decided to change the way compression ratio measurements are performed, which, according to the first version of the regulation, were performed cold. Starting at the Australian GP, ​​however, these checks will change and be performed "hot," by statically heating the V6 engine components. The FIA ​​has therefore agreed to change the measurement criteria following the letter of clarification sent several months ago by Ferrari, Audi, and Honda.

Furthermore, amending the regulations to introduce these new measurements will not require unanimity; a qualified majority composed of the FIA, F1, and four out of five engine manufacturers will suffice. Red Bull's position will therefore be decisive, having initially remained neutral and not signed the letter of clarification sent by the other three engine manufacturers.

Now, however, Red Bull's position appears to have changed, and all the conditions are in place for the aforementioned qualified majority to be reached, which would lead to new compression ratio checks, still static, but still hot.

Enrico Gualtieri, Ferrari's power unit manager, at the presentation of the Ferrari SF-26, stated that he had full confidence in the FIA ​​to resolve this issue before the start of the season, and the Federation has remained true to its commitment to clarify a gray area of ​​the regulation that has led to different interpretations.

[Hoffman900]

“Static”. So they will still be above 16:1 in a running / firing engine.

[AR3-GP]

I don’t believe that story.

[Luscion]

Autoracer now also saying Red Bull have sided with Audi, Ferrari and Honda and after yesterday's meeting seems like the FIA is headed towards modifying the current regulation, with a modification to the control systems and using hot tests

[crapu7]

So almost half the grid will be disqualified in Melbourne, how's that going to work?

[chrisc90]

So almost half the grid will be disqualified in Melbourne, how's that going to work?

Points to those who don’t break the rules

[collindsilva]

Why would they be disqualified, toto confirmed their engine is legal

[Bill]

The whole car not just pu need to complier with regulations all the time not just when fia is looking. so if fia do indeed make changes to regulations it will be a logical conclusion to these saga.

[FNTC]

Why would they be disqualified, toto confirmed their engine is legal

Legal when measured at ambient temperature. Whether it is still legal when measured hot (if they change the measurement procedure), we will see.

I doubt they will change it before the season starts though, if they do, they will probably give Mercedes time to adjust first.

[organic]

Autoracer now also saying Red Bull have sided with Audi, Ferrari and Honda and after yesterday's meeting seems like the FIA is headed towards modifying the current regulation, with a modification to the control systems and using hot tests

They had time to look at the GPS traces of Merc at Barcelona

[bauc]

The issue is not Mercedes trying to push the limits, the issue is FIA, changing the wording of the rules every few months.....

First they added ''at ambient temp in October'' now this (if true)

[pantherxxx]

Red Bull was enough smart, they know this loophole is too easy to be closed, so they didn't waste huge resources developing it. Mercedes is now screwed, their engine will be useless.

[ferkan]

I don’t believe that story.

Not sure, given what was reported about Mercedes CEO saying yesterday.