Mercedes’ rivals are hoping to pull together a proposal to change Formula 1’s engine compression ratio rules in time for the start of the season in Australia, The Race has learned
Maybe the rules shouldn’t place so many restrictions but the compression ratio is capped at 16:1 and the rules also spell it out black and white that the cars must comply at all times.
Also, combustion engines are the antithesis of innovation.
That sentence was added last year very late in the development cycle – too late for Mercedes’ competition to adapt. It was not present in earlier versions of the 2026 rulebook.
Maybe the rules shouldn’t place so many restrictions but the compression ratio is capped at 16:1 and the rules also spell it out black and white that the cars must comply at all times.
Also, combustion engines are the antithesis of innovation.
16:1 measured at ambient temps
That sentence was added last year very late in the development cycle – too late for Mercedes’ competition to adapt. It was not present in earlier versions of the 2026 rulebook.
See https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/fia_2026_formula_1_technical_regulations_issue_8_-_2024-06-24.pdf if you don’t believe me.
So basically the FIA probably told Mercedes it’s fine, and the other teams are just finding out it now.