Mercedes System 1 staff principal Toto Wolff has referred to as on rival energy unit producers to “simply get your shit collectively” after they voiced complaints to the FIA on Mercedes’ interpretation of the rules.
The 2026 energy unit rules prescribe an engine compression ratio of 16:1, down from 18:1 final yr. That compression ratio has all the time been measured at ambient temperatures when the engine is not operating, so it does not account for any materials growth below warmth when vehicles are operating out on monitor.
A number of producers have been nervous about Mercedes and Crimson Bull Powertrains arising with a trick to extend the compression ratio nearer to 18:1 when the automotive is definitely operating whereas nonetheless complying with the static check.
“We have now to, as we do, belief the FIA with making the appropriate choices right here,” mentioned Audi technical director James Key on the staff’s 2026 automotive launch.
“It is new regs. You have to have a stage taking part in discipline. If somebody got here up with a intelligent diffuser and also you mentioned it is not the appropriate factor to do, nobody else can have it, however you may have it for the remainder of the yr. It does not make sense. We might by no means settle for that.”
Nevertheless, Mercedes is adamant its vehicles are absolutely compliant with the rules as they’re written, and has been considerably bemused by how a few of its rivals, which can also be believed to incorporate Honda and Ferrari, have been rallying towards what it looks like is a black and white case.
“I simply do not perceive that some groups focus extra on the others and hold arguing a case that could be very clear and clear,” Mercedes F1 chief Wolff advised choose media, together with Motorsport.com, on the official launch of the staff’s 2026 challenger, the W17. “Communication with the FIA was very optimistic all alongside and it is not solely on compression ratio, however on different issues too.
“Particularly in that space, it’s totally clear what the rules say. It is very clear what the usual procedures are on any motors, even exterior of System 1. So simply get your shit collectively.
He added: “The facility unit is authorized. The facility unit corresponds to how the rules are written. The facility unit corresponds to how the checks are being finished.”
Toto Wolff, Mercedes
Photograph by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Photographs by way of Getty Photographs
Whereas it seems there shall be no rapid change on the horizon, talks are nonetheless understood to be ongoing on any alternative routes of measuring compression ratios, comparable to including checks below operating circumstances. Any proposed options must observe the standard governance procedures, which features a assembly of the F1 Energy Unit Advisory Committee and subsequently a vote by way of the F1 Fee.
However Wolff will not be significantly impressed by efforts to alter the procedures on one thing that’s thought of business customary.
“Simply doing secret conferences and sending secret letters and hold making an attempt to invent methods of testing that simply do not exist… I really feel like I can simply say a minimum of from us right here, we try to minimise distractions, wanting extra at ourselves than at all people else when it is fairly clear what the regs say and likewise fairly clear what the FIA has mentioned to us and has mentioned to them up to now,” Wolff added.
“However possibly we’re all completely different. Perhaps you need to discover excuses earlier than you even began for why issues aren’t good. If someone needs to entertain themselves by distraction, then all people’s free to do that.”
The FIA has been clear that it a minimum of needs the matter absolutely cleared up earlier than the beginning of the season in Australia subsequent month, so the subject does not linger into the brand new marketing campaign when it needs the main focus to be on the on-track competitors.
“We’re very eager to keep away from such controversies and to be sure that when folks go racing, they perceive the principles in precisely the identical approach,” FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis advised Motorsport.com on the current Autosport Enterprise Trade.
“Inevitably, when there’s such a brand new set of rules sure issues do come up, and we take the view that it’s our duty to resolve these issues earlier than the primary race.”
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