2026 Drama: Alleged engine loophole

[gearboxtrouble]

If a rule change or nerf were to be applied, realistically, how will it be implemented? Printing new engines take a long time, and the cost caps (especially engine cost cap)/wind tunnel times are already spent. Not to mention it will mess up the fuel mix, aero, cooling, energy storage/harvesting, deployment/strategy math, etc. for the 4 teams.

Of course it's understandable that all the other teams are upset. But as for the FIA, why are they only handling this now, <1 month from Australia and live testing already underway, instead of last year?

I guess to me the frustrating thing is that no one really knows anything. There's a million tabloids and quotes taken out of context, but I have yet to see a good nuanced analysis.

Tombazis himself brought up adjusting deployment and energy storage lower as a potential nerf. I’ve also seen a fuel flow reduction mentioned. Something will be needed because theres no way Mercedes can change the internals this season. It's not just the cylinders but everything from the fuels to the cooling will have to be optimized for a new combustion concept.

[venkyhere]

If a rule change or nerf were to be applied, realistically, how will it be implemented? Printing new engines take a long time, and the cost caps (especially engine cost cap)/wind tunnel times are already spent. Not to mention it will mess up the fuel mix, aero, cooling, energy storage/harvesting, deployment/strategy math, etc. for the 4 teams.

all the "intention" in the world is useless, if "enforcement" is toothless.
Is there a clear yes/no from FIA w.r.t to :
1) we will test the engines for geometric compression ratio not just comparing the data in the CAD files with vernier caliper geometric measurements after opening engine head ; but with actual fluid/oil displacement method
2) if anyone is found violating the above test 'at ambient' , we have an enforcement/mitigation plan by penalizing electrical energy usage limits.

Or are we in for a farcical "sentenced to 20 yrs imprisonment" followed by "suspended sentence".

easiest solution

[vorticism]

Hamilton calls for a level playing field.

there’s whispers of extra power that they have that the rest of us don’t… The compression rate, sort of thing… Hopefully that gets sorted and the FIA takes care of that and makes sure that we’re all starting on equal playing field.”

https://x.com/fiagirly/status/2021610431098331331

"Horsepower, Party Mode, oil burning, and token systems for me, but not for thee." Says the driver whose legacy was built upon engine imparity. It's all too predictable.

[MTL79]

If a rule change or nerf were to be applied, realistically, how will it be implemented? Printing new engines take a long time, and the cost caps (especially engine cost cap)/wind tunnel times are already spent. Not to mention it will mess up the fuel mix, aero, cooling, energy storage/harvesting, deployment/strategy math, etc. for the 4 teams.

Of course it's understandable that all the other teams are upset. But as for the FIA, why are they only handling this now, <1 month from Australia and live testing already underway, instead of last year?

I guess to me the frustrating thing is that no one really knows anything. There's a million tabloids and quotes taken out of context, but I have yet to see a good nuanced analysis.

The rule does not need to change, the rule has been clear since the beginning.

[FNTC]

They changed the testing procedure both in October and in December, so can easily do it again. The rule is still max 16.0 even if testing method changed and potentially changes again.

[Tommy Cookers]

... The rule is still max 16.0 even if testing method changed and potentially changes again.

no it isn't

the rule is still that anything that has a CR of 16.0 in 'ambient' conditions has a CR of 16.0 outright

[FNTC]

You forgot to read the last part of my sentence. " if testing method changed and potentially changes again. " So if they change it to 50C og 200C for testing, thats the new rule to comply with 16.0

[the EDGE]

Ted is reporting on sky f1 that he believes fia/f1 don’t want to get involved in anything controversial so will ignore the other teams and not change the testing method

[atanatizante]

The talk about sensors, how would a sensor measure the geometric CR at racing temperatures?

It wouldn’t, but it would measure cylinder pressure.

THIS!!! This is the only solution: insert a sensor into the cylinder and set a maximum pressure value inside it. If this pressure limit is exceeded, the ECU reduces the fuel flow. This is the best compromise in this issue for all parties involved. And this can be done elegantly by issuing a TD, as has been done in the past (2022, for example), and no one has complained that the regulations are being violated. It is an effective, very inexpensive method that avoids the need to redesign the ICE, software, fuel, and so on. A single sensor coded and supplied by the FIA, and in addition, only a single line of code is entered into the ECU software...

[f1isgood]

Ted is reporting on sky f1 that he believes fia/f1 don’t want to get involved in anything controversial so will ignore the other teams and not change the testing method

Does he realize that Mercedes is the controversy here?

[organic]

Ted is reporting on sky f1 that he believes fia/f1 don’t want to get involved in anything controversial so will ignore the other teams and not change the testing method

Notorious pro-merc guy though

[chrisc90]

Ted is reporting on sky f1 that he believes fia/f1 don’t want to get involved in anything controversial so will ignore the other teams and not change the testing method

Who has the most power though? The FIA or the non-merc PU engine providers/teams?

[FrukostScones]

Ted is reporting on sky f1 that he believes fia/f1 don’t want to get involved in anything controversial so will ignore the other teams and not change the testing method

logic saves the day.

but still as me and my coworker AI worked a bit and came to this rules:

A sensible rule package would:

Geometric definition
“The geometric compression ratio ε shall be defined as (Vd + Vc) / Vc, where Vc is the clearance volume above the piston at TDC.”

What counts as Vc
“For the purpose of this definition, only volumes which are rigidly bounded, permanently present, and freely communicating with the main combustion space under all engine operating conditions may be included in Vc.”

Prohibition of fake chambers
“Any cavity, pocket, duct, valve, movable element, or other device whose purpose or effect is to:

present additional volume during the official clearance-volume measurement, but
prevent that volume from behaving as part of the combustion chamber in normal operation
is prohibited.”
Inspection basis
“Compliance may be checked by blueprint/3D-model inspection, physical disassembly, and volumetric measurements. The governing body may declare any design illegal if, in its judgement, it introduces volumes that do not function as genuine combustion-chamber volume in operation.”

[Tommy Cookers]

so (in an efficiency formula) ....

why are we (by reducing or capping CR or cylinder pressure) reducing efficiency ?

how is this fair to the fuel companies ?


one answer might be that the whole FIA Octane Number thing is just a bit of window-dressing

[upsidedowntoast]

so (in an efficiency formula) ....

why are we (by reducing or capping CR or cylinder pressure) reducing efficiency ?

how is this fair to the fuel companies ?

It was to make it easier for new teams (audi and cadillac) to join. 16:1 is less efficient but easier to do. It's very hard to get up to 18:1 without your engine shredding itself.