Mercedes approach the upcoming Bahrain tests as the early favourites for 2026. Although predictions about this year’s pecking order are still purely speculative, the Silver Arrows are nonetheless highly favoured.
Prior to last week’s Barcelona shakedown, reports consistently emerged about the Mercedes power unit. The overwhelming belief has been (and remains) that Mercedes engines will set the standard.
The team’s strong showing in Catalunya, completing over 500 laps, gave validity to this consensus.
However, Mercedes have also been followed by a controversy surrounding their engine compression ratio. According to team principal Toto Wolff, rivals are simply attempting to manufacture controversy.
Mercedes engine fully legal, insists Wolff
The political nature of Formula 1 is never far removed from the on-track action, and this is particularly true during a regulation change.
Different interpretations and solutions are more prevalent when a new generation of cars are introduced. With all-new engines and aerodynamic parameters for 2026, teams are constantly scrutinising what rivals are developing.
On the engine front, other manufacturers have complained about the Mercedes engine.
Over the winter break, it surfaced that the Silver Arrows are using a trick to change their power unit’s compression ratio whilst out on track. In short, elevating the compression ratio allows the W17’s engine to produce more horsepower.
However, because this change only happens when the engine is turned on and at a high temperature (on track) it passes the FIA’s stationary checks – conducted at ambient temperature.
Honda, Ferrari and Audi have all written letters to the FIA for clarification on this issue. To be clear, Mercedes were in constant communication with the FIA since they first began developing this idea.
Because of this, at least for now, the FIA have deemed the German constructor’s innovation as a legal interpretation of the rules.
Still, this does not prevent other manufacturers from making complaints. They have argued the regulations clearly state the compression ratio is fixed, and therefore cannot be increased after leaving the garage.
From Toto Wolff’s perspective, this saga is simply the product of other teams attempting to create an issue out of nothing:
“I just don’t understand why some teams concentrate more on the others – and keep arguing a case that is very clear and transparent,” Wolff told the media.
“Communication with the FIA was very positive all along. It’s not only on compression ratio, but on other things too. (cont. on next page)
