2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

[AR3-GP]

Petronas has yet to receive fuel approval.

[CHT]

Petronas has yet to receive fuel approval.

Petronas is producing their fuel in Malaysia? Will this affect Merc team or all cars running Merc engine?

[AR3-GP]

Petronas has yet to receive fuel approval.

Petronas is producing their fuel in Malaysia? Will this affect Merc team or all cars running Merc engine?

All of the Merc teams are using a Petronas fuel. They will have to use an "interim" fuel if they don't make the homologation deadline. IF this comes to fruition, expect the other manufacturers to have a Melbourne meltdown.

In that scenario, Petronas would receive more development time with no consequences while other manufacturers cut their time short to make the deadline.

[CHT]

Petronas has yet to receive fuel approval.

Petronas is producing their fuel in Malaysia? Will this affect Merc team or all cars running Merc engine?

All of the Merc teams are using a Petronas fuel. They will have to use an "interim" fuel if they don't make the homologation deadline. IF this comes to fruition, expect the other manufacturers to have a Melbourne meltdown.

In that scenario, Petronas would receive more development time with no consequences while other manufacturers cut their time short to make the deadline.

Its either they are hiding something, or Petronas plant is struggling with FIA audit.

[AR3-GP]

Petronas is producing their fuel in Malaysia? Will this affect Merc team or all cars running Merc engine?

All of the Merc teams are using a Petronas fuel. They will have to use an "interim" fuel if they don't make the homologation deadline. IF this comes to fruition, expect the other manufacturers to have a Melbourne meltdown.

In that scenario, Petronas would receive more development time with no consequences while other manufacturers cut their time short to make the deadline.

Its either they are hiding something, or Petronas plant is struggling with FIA audit.

It would strange not to attempt to run the approved fuel on track before the homologation deadline. As has been rumored for a while, Petronas seems to struggle with the audit. Considering that Mercedes is believed to be running beyond 16:1 compression ratio, it's much harder to get a sustainable fuel to work.

[bluechris]

Maybe the problem to homologate the fuel is that if they need to change something in the middle of the season in the engine as the new test for compression will be implemented, the fuel is possible that needs to be different then. How you fix that? Better delay somehow till then the fuel homologation. I think that this is maybe a problem in they minds and if it's true it's a difficult equation.

[zibby43]

Maybe the problem to homologate the fuel is that if they need to change something in the middle of the season in the engine as the new test for compression will be implemented, the fuel is possible that needs to be different then. How you fix that? Better delay somehow till then the fuel homologation. I think that this is maybe a problem in they minds and if it's true it's a difficult equation.

There has already been quite a bit of speculation that Mercedes has already passed a "hot" test and could pass a "hot" test tomorrow.

What's more, from what I gather, none of the teams have voted to move forward with both an ambient and a hot test.

Regarding the reliability piece (i.e., the two PU changes in Bahrain), one of the issues was pneumatic-related. The other cause is unknown. But in both instances, we don't know the severity of the problem. Yes, they replaced two units, but it is much quicker to just change out an entire PU (especially when they're brand new and all the mechanics are still learning the platform) when you have limited time to troubleshoot. The track time is valuable.

[Badger]

Absolutely nothing about Leclerc's comment suggests Ferrari were showing their 'true form' anymore than anybody else. Absolutely flimsy claim.

It's not hard to come to that conclusion however. Unless you believe Ferrari is 8 tenths faster than the next team, then it's quite obvious Ferrari showed their hand much moreso than other teams.

Ferrari nearly did 16 GP's with that engine when Leclerc did that time. You really believe that the engine was in the limit? All teams have a lot to give from the engine side from Melbourne and after.

That time was done with a new PU, it was reported during testing they swapped.

[Badger]

Maybe the problem to homologate the fuel is that if they need to change something in the middle of the season in the engine as the new test for compression will be implemented, the fuel is possible that needs to be different then. How you fix that? Better delay somehow till then the fuel homologation. I think that this is maybe a problem in they minds and if it's true it's a difficult equation.

There has already been quite a bit of speculation that Mercedes has already passed a "hot" test and could pass a "hot" test tomorrow.

What's more, from what I gather, none of the teams have voted to move forward with both an ambient and a hot test.

Regarding the reliability piece (i.e., the two PU changes in Bahrain), one of the issues was pneumatic-related. The other cause is unknown. But in both instances, we don't know the severity of the problem. Yes, they replaced two units, but it is much quicker to just change out an entire PU (especially when they're brand new and all the mechanics are still learning the platform) when you have limited time to troubleshoot. The track time is valuable.

That speculation was dubious at best. It basically suggested Merc sat out a session of testing to perform a "hot test" that had not even been defined, and with what equipment? In reality they were fixing an issue, perhaps swapping the engine.

The e-vote hasn't been concluded yet and I wouldn't expect the results on that until after the deadline.

[Lasssept]

[AR3-GP]

Many journalist choose their material based on what is published to this forum. I won't be convinced otherwise.

[Matt2725]

You mean the whole fuel thing was more sensationalist bs?

Who started the reporting on it first? I assume the Italian media since they're on a roll with inaccurate reporting at the moment.

[LM10]

You mean the whole fuel thing was more sensationalist bs?

Who started the reporting on it first? I assume the Italian media since they're on a roll with inaccurate reporting at the moment.

Because it’s absolutely planned to have the fuel approved last minute, right?

[nitrotech]

You mean the whole fuel thing was more sensationalist bs?

Who started the reporting on it first? I assume the Italian media since they're on a roll with inaccurate reporting at the moment.

Because it’s absolutely planned to have the fuel approved last minute, right?

Potentially, yes. Given that there is no penalty in not having the fuel ready for the first race, it's perfectly understandable to stretch fuel research as far out as possible. Worst case, for a race or 2, teams have to use a standard fuel supplied by FIA (with a potential danger of that fuel causing issues to the PU). If that extra research time can unlock a tenth or 2 in this duration, it's a great win for a race calendar of 24 races. Why did other suppliers went so far ahead in time to get it homologated?

While testing has been surprisingly reliable on PU side for most manufacturers, the actual race weekends may not be that kind and there will probably be failures to most teams. Given the probabilities of so many variables and opportunities, it would be wise to go deep on fuel research. Time will tell if that is indeed wise or foolish.

[upsidedowntoast]

You mean the whole fuel thing was more sensationalist bs?

Who started the reporting on it first? I assume the Italian media since they're on a roll with inaccurate reporting at the moment.

Because it’s absolutely planned to have the fuel approved last minute, right?

It was always my theory that they were waiting for the outcome of the compression ratio debate before finalizing their fuel homologation.

Also: is the "temporary fuel" provided by the FIA? I read elsewhere that they would be allowed to run their fuel, only made up of components that were already approved. (Though I can see how this might lead to some chicanery.)