“We’ve spent a lot of time discussing how we solve those issues, and our intention is of course to solve them for the start of the season.
“We don’t want to have controversies, we want people to be competing on the track – not in the courtroom or in the stewards room. And that’s what we try to do.”
A decision to define 2026
It was only until recently that it became clear the FIA was likely to take action on this issue. Red Bull’s positioning has been pivotal in this respect.
The Austrian were also been developing the same compression ratio idea as Mercedes. Because of this, the Austrian team were not pushing for action against the German power unit.
However, it is understood that Red Bull were nowhere near as advanced in developing this concept as the Silver Arrows. As a result, were this solution deemed fully legal, it would benefit Mercedes more than anyone else.
This is why, per the latest reports, Red Bull are now in unison Ferrari, Honda and Audi in calling for the FIA to act. This relatively new development tips the scales in one direction.
With 4/5 engine suppliers now on the same page, Mercedes will struggle to prevent measures from being taken.
Whilst this will not completely eliminate Mercedes’ work towards 2026, it is increasingly inevitable their power unit will be affected by regulatory changes in some capacity.
Depending on certain factors, the time for an amendment to be applied could vary. This has prompted discussions for a short-term solution, which would minimise the advantage Mercedes gain from their design until a full correction arrives.
Still, it seems clear that something concrete will be implemented. It is a matter of if, not when, the FIA and other manufacturers vote to finally resolve this engine saga.
Main photo: Steve Etherington (Mercedes F1 Media Archive)
