Controversy over "Mercedes" new engine could leave four teams without engines

"Mercedes"' revolutionary development of new power units for the 2026 season has reached a deadlock due to a dispute over technical regulations.

İdman.Biz reports that this dispute could leave four teams without engines, including current champion "McLaren". According to the Italian newspaper "Corriere dello Sport", "Mercedes" is unable to produce an engine that meets the new compression ratio limit.

Under the new regulations, the engine's compression ratio must be reduced from 18:1 to 16:1. However, it is reported that "Mercedes" engineers have developed a system that exceeds this limit by utilizing the thermal expansion of components at operating temperature. Meanwhile, the engine officially meets the standard in official cold tests conducted by the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

The FIA has held an emergency meeting with dissatisfied rivals – "Ferrari", "Honda", and "Audi". The federation is faced with a dilemma: either ban the system and leave a section of the field without engines, or allow it and risk a series of protests and lawsuits.

According to "Corriere dello Sport", a controversial "compromise" is being considered as a solution: allowing "Mercedes"-engined teams to race with a non-compliant engine in 2026, but requiring them to provide an official guarantee to bring it up to standard by 2027. However, this solution is strictly unacceptable to other manufacturers.