2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

[Matt2725]

This whole accusation of cheating just smacks of sour grapes at this point. Just a poor attempt at trying to hand wave away other teams doing a worse job.

[venkyhere]

Given how competitive McLaren has been the last 2 years and the strength they have in their organization, it's difficult to say it's just PU that is giving advantage to Mercedes. The chassis seems to be very good and compared to Mclaren, the Mercedes advantage is all coming from chassis. Look at Alpine and Williams.

I would say given McLaren strength shown in the last two years it is difficult to say advantage Mercedes is enjoying is NOT in the PU. Same for Alpine and Williams. They are not using PU so as to fully exploit the cheat it is based on. Maybe Mercedes refised giving them essential informations to avoid exposing the cheat.

Total nonsense. By regulations, manufacturers are required to provide exact same hardware and software to the customers.

Yes, but who 'guarantees it' ? FIA ? How ? Is there any way to know what 'methods' and checks FIA uses to ensure the actual physical engine (not some CAD files or documents) reaching customers is the same as the ones used by factory team ? What methods do the customer teams themselves have, to guarantee the same ? IMHO, nothing other than a whistleblower employee can bring out the truth ; and I think that apart from a small bunch, vast majority of employees within Mercedes too are unaware of the multiple-ICE designs status.
Remember, F1 is an 'engineering club' where the members (F1 teams), alongwith an event management company (Liberty), together pay money & hire some university prof (the FIA) to 'referee' a racing project competition that has TV coverage.
It's not Olympics.

[nitrotech]

I would say given McLaren strength shown in the last two years it is difficult to say advantage Mercedes is enjoying is NOT in the PU. Same for Alpine and Williams. They are not using PU so as to fully exploit the cheat it is based on. Maybe Mercedes refised giving them essential informations to avoid exposing the cheat.

Total nonsense. By regulations, manufacturers are required to provide exact same hardware and software to the customers.

Yes, but who 'guarantees it' ? FIA ? How ? Is there any way to know what 'methods' and checks FIA uses to ensure the actual physical engine (not some CAD files or documents) reaching customers is the same as the ones used by factory team ? What methods do the customer teams themselves have, to guarantee the same ? IMHO, nothing other than a whistleblower employee can bring out the truth ; and I think that apart from a small bunch, vast majority of employees within Mercedes too are unaware of the multiple-ICE designs status.
Remember, F1 is an 'engineering club' where the members (F1 teams), alongwith an event management company (Liberty), together pay money & hire some university prof (the FIA) to 'referee' a racing project competition that has TV coverage.
It's not Olympics.

This is a technical forum and as such, ranting should be limited to rational disagreements. Fan theories are understandable. If one has to suspect a manufacturer is not conforming to the regulations, then there is no limit to such suspicions and allegations. FIA is not some immature organization that cannot have means to enforce such basic things related to parity. Neither are customer teams are stupid to pay millions to buy engines where they are not sure if the manufacturer is being honest. Mercedes is a multi billion behemoth and doesn't want to risk their reputation by resorting to such silly things. Failing to these sporting regulations would disqualify them from championship. It's perfectly understandable that some fans are frustrated and angry that their team hasn't come out on top.

Some info on McLaren's situation. Good news for them if this is correct. McLaren is using an older specification of the software. Now the article doesn't say if it's a choice of McLaren or Mercedes is testing a new spec before distributing to customers.

https://autoracer.it/qualifiche-melbour ... vantaggio/

According to some information coming from the paddock, the Woking team is reportedly using an older software specification for the hybrid management system . If this information is confirmed, it would mean that part of Mercedes' advantage could derive not only from the engine's mechanical configuration, but also from more advanced energy management of the entire system.

[AR3-GP]

https://autoracer.it/qualifiche-melbour ... vantaggio/

According to some information coming from the paddock, the Woking team is reportedly using an older software specification for the hybrid management system . If this information is confirmed, it would mean that part of Mercedes' advantage could derive not only from the engine's mechanical configuration, but also from more advanced energy management of the entire system.

This isn't legal. It's against the rules. All customers must have the same software.

I dont know who this "Christian Spontoon" author is, but he is giving Franco Nugnes a run for his money. He is also claiming there that Mercedes is running above the 16:1 compression ratio limit, while Mercedes and AMUS claim that they are not.

So I would personally disregard that entire article.

[f1isgood]

Total nonsense. By regulations, manufacturers are required to provide exact same hardware and software to the customers.

Yes, but who 'guarantees it' ? FIA ? How ? Is there any way to know what 'methods' and checks FIA uses to ensure the actual physical engine (not some CAD files or documents) reaching customers is the same as the ones used by factory team ? What methods do the customer teams themselves have, to guarantee the same ? IMHO, nothing other than a whistleblower employee can bring out the truth ; and I think that apart from a small bunch, vast majority of employees within Mercedes too are unaware of the multiple-ICE designs status.
Remember, F1 is an 'engineering club' where the members (F1 teams), alongwith an event management company (Liberty), together pay money & hire some university prof (the FIA) to 'referee' a racing project competition that has TV coverage.
It's not Olympics.

This is a technical forum and as such, ranting should be limited to rational disagreements. Fan theories are understandable. If one has to suspect a manufacturer is not conforming to the regulations, then there is no limit to such suspicions and allegations. FIA is not some immature organization that cannot have means to enforce such basic things related to parity. Neither are customer teams are stupid to pay millions to buy engines where they are not sure if the manufacturer is being honest. Mercedes is a multi billion behemoth and doesn't want to risk their reputation by resorting to such silly things. Failing to these sporting regulations would disqualify them from championship. It's perfectly understandable that some fans are frustrated and angry that their team hasn't come out on top.

Some info on McLaren's situation. Good news for them if this is correct. McLaren is using an older specification of the software. Now the article doesn't say if it's a choice of McLaren or Mercedes is testing a new spec before distributing to customers.

https://autoracer.it/qualifiche-melbour ... vantaggio/

According to some information coming from the paddock, the Woking team is reportedly using an older software specification for the hybrid management system . If this information is confirmed, it would mean that part of Mercedes' advantage could derive not only from the engine's mechanical configuration, but also from more advanced energy management of the entire system.

Must be new to F1 or something like that

[MB_Racer]

Given how competitive McLaren has been the last 2 years and the strength they have in their organization, it's difficult to say it's just PU that is giving advantage to Mercedes. The chassis seems to be very good and compared to Mclaren, the Mercedes advantage is all coming from chassis. Look at Alpine and Williams.

I would say given McLaren strength shown in the last two years it is difficult to say advantage Mercedes is enjoying is NOT in the PU. Same for Alpine and Williams. They are not using PU so as to fully exploit the cheat it is based on. Maybe Mercedes refised giving them essential informations to avoid exposing the cheat.

Total nonsense. By regulations, manufacturers are required to provide exact same hardware and software to the customers.

Facts only thanks for your post

[MB_Racer]

Given how competitive McLaren has been the last 2 years and the strength they have in their organization, it's difficult to say it's just PU that is giving advantage to Mercedes. The chassis seems to be very good and compared to Mclaren, the Mercedes advantage is all coming from chassis. Look at Alpine and Williams.

I would say given McLaren strength shown in the last two years it is difficult to say advantage Mercedes is enjoying is NOT in the PU. Same for Alpine and Williams. They are not using PU so as to fully exploit the cheat it is based on. Maybe Mercedes refised giving them essential informations to avoid exposing the cheat.

1. Not a cheat
2. All engines supplied by a manufacturer are the same with the same maps

Speaking of cheating, tell us what the Ferrari settlement was?

OT about your point 2, but you have a very interesting question here! Can’t wait to see the answers.

About your point 1 you are stating facts and the FIA agrees with you

[matt_b]

I think their advanatge has nothing to do with the compression ratio and that is just a divertion from the real advantage which has yet to be discovered. It will come out eventually but until then you have to give credit where credit is due and ask why the other manufacterers are not doing the same

[Luscion]

Accoring to Autoracer Merc chose a larger turbocharger, designed to prioritize efficiency and power at high revs which allows the internal combustion engine to express very high power values during full load phases.

https://autoracer.it/qualifiche-melbour ... vantaggio/

To compensate for the lower reactivity of a larger turbocharger, the hybrid system comes into play. When the pilot reopens the gas exiting the slow corners, the MGU-K can immediately provide the electrical torque needed to cover the turbo's response phase. In this way the electrical component performs a function similar to that of an anti-lag system, while the turbocharger progressively enters its efficiency window at high revs. Once that operating point is reached, the internal combustion engine becomes primarily responsible for the car's thrust, helping to explain the particularly high top speeds Mercedes displayed over the Australian weekend.

The reason merc are so quick and not the customer teams is because Merc are apparently using a more advanced power unit management software that theyre not sharing. They say the compression ratio when hot is 16:3:1 not 18:1

[Frank73]

Accoring to Autoracer Merc chose a larger turbocharger, designed to prioritize efficiency and power at high revs which allows the internal combustion engine to express very high power values during full load phases.

https://autoracer.it/qualifiche-melbour ... vantaggio/

To compensate for the lower reactivity of a larger turbocharger, the hybrid system comes into play. When the pilot reopens the gas exiting the slow corners, the MGU-K can immediately provide the electrical torque needed to cover the turbo's response phase. In this way the electrical component performs a function similar to that of an anti-lag system, while the turbocharger progressively enters its efficiency window at high revs. Once that operating point is reached, the internal combustion engine becomes primarily responsible for the car's thrust, helping to explain the particularly high top speeds Mercedes displayed over the Australian weekend.

The reason merc are so quick and not the customer teams is because Merc are apparently using a more advanced power unit management software that theyre not sharing. They say the compression ratio when hot is 16:3:1 not 18:1

Rules state both hardware and software latest releases must be handed to customer teams. More likely, customer teams are not going to fully exploit the CR cheat cause it has not been exposed.

[Jdn1327]

This whole accusation of cheating just smacks of sour grapes at this point. Just a poor attempt at trying to hand wave away other teams doing a worse job.

It's difficult for supporters of other drivers and teams to admit when their respective teams have been out-engineered. Its tough but I'm sure the June reg changes will neuter Mercedes. The FIA did it to them in 2021, they'll do it again.

[upsidedowntoast]

This whole accusation of cheating just smacks of sour grapes at this point. Just a poor attempt at trying to hand wave away other teams doing a worse job.

It's difficult for supporters of other drivers and teams to admit when their respective teams have been out-engineered. Its tough but I'm sure the June reg changes will neuter Mercedes. The FIA did it to them in 2021, they'll do it again.

Considering they already passed the hot tests I don't think we will see much change post June 1st.

And considering how weakly Toto protested the rule changes I actually think their real advantages are unrelated to the compression ratio nonsense.

[Tonino]

What an engineering masterclass W17 is. Huge credit to James Allison and Hywel Thomas. Everyone who doubted this team’s engineering talent looks pretty silly right now.

The constant complaining about “cheating” and “unfair advantage” has been a joy to watch. And the Italian press piling on just adds to it, hearing all that noise while Ferrari keep showing the same incompetence year after year is honestly music to my ears.

We’re so back. And we’ll still be here in June when this so-called compression-ratio saga leads to nothing, just more empty headlines and more complaining from the same people.

[OverheatedTurbo]

What an engineering masterclass W17 is. Huge credit to James Allison and Hywel Thomas. Everyone who doubted this team’s engineering talent looks pretty silly right now.

The constant complaining about “cheating” and “unfair advantage” has been a joy to watch. And the Italian press piling on just adds to it, hearing all that noise while Ferrari keep showing the same incompetence year after year is honestly music to my ears.

We’re so back. And we’ll still be here in June when this so-called compression-ratio saga leads to nothing, just more empty headlines and more complaining from the same people.

According to F1twt, the W17 is all (illegal) engine and no chassis.

[chrisc90]

What did all the ES and other stuff get changed for in Georges car?