By Joe Murphy
Formula 1 is seemingly at the centre of a ground-breaking new technical dispute, mere days before the 2026 season commences.
Ferrari, McLaren and Cadillac are those losing accusations at Mercedes and Red Bull over an apparent exploitation of new engine compression ratio rules.
The controversy started with suggestions that the two teams who between them have dominated F1 in the hybrid era, have secured a substantial advantage through their interpretation of regulations governing specifically cylinder compression ratios.
Representatives from all five power unit suppliers; Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, Honda and Audi, will meet with the FIA on Thursday ahead of pre-season testing in Barcelona to discuss the problems. It is unknown at this time what guilt will mean for the Constructors involved.
This is significant. A potential performance gap estimated at between 0.3 and 0.4 seconds per lap means a margin that could prove decisive across an entire championship campaign.
The row has reached the point that the likes of Ferrari, Audi and Honda have formally written to motorsport’s governing body expressing their alarm and demanded they take action.
It is important to note that Red Bull and Mercedes have released statements pleading their innocence whilst Cadillac are among teams who have doubled down on their stance.
We await the FIA’s verdict, expected later this week.
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