Red Bull in a different boat to Mercedes
Of course, the Milton Keynes outfit themselves have also worked on this compression ratio idea. However, they are not in the same position as Mercedes.
As previously reported on LWOS, Mercedes were the first movers in this area. It was only thanks to Red Bull’s significant efforts to acquire Mercedes’ engineering talent that they caught wind of this idea.
Consequently, Red Bull are a few steps behind Mercedes in developing this engine solution.
It is understood that Red Bull would be relatively unaffected by a mid-season or 2027 clampdown on increases to the 16:1 compression ratio.
Because of this, the Austrian team’s position on this matter is difficult to fully decipher. For all intents and purposes, they are neutrals in this debate.
At the same time, they could also stand to benefit if Mercedes’ engine progress is halted. Assuming the Silver Arrows will produce a winning power unit, Red Bull could also be winners if the FIA commit to an intervention on this issue.
Generally speaking, this saga epitomises the political intricacies of Formula 1. There is no clear path, and various different interests and stakeholders at play.
Possible outcomes
What must be emphasised is that only a few things are clear at this stage. The first is that, for now, the FIA has not moved to ban the loophole pioneered by Mercedes.
The second certainty is that a meeting on January 22nd will see this topic take centre stage. Honda, Ferrari and Audi – who wrote the FIA a joint letter a few weeks ago for clarification on this issue – will voice their opposition.
It will then be up to the FIA for a final decision to be made.
For Mercedes, a best-case scenario would be for this matter to be closed and their solution confirmed legal – leaving other teams to replicate this idea over the remainder of these regulations.
Alternately, other manufacturers will hope the FIA clarify a stricter interpretation of the regulations and force Mercedes to make alterations.
Red Bull, meanwhile, are in a very unique position. In some ways, either outcome could be seen as a positive for the Austrian squad.
Main photo: Sebastian Kawka (Mercedes F1 Media Archive)
