F1 engine dispute: FIA propose mid-season rule-change after talks during pre-season testing in Bahrain

Formula 1's engine dispute will be resolved before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix after talks were held in Bahrain during testing; watch the second day of the final week of testing on Thursday from 6.50am, live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Mix

Wednesday 18 February 2026 16:08, UK

The FIA have proposed a mid-season rule change to its engine regulations with a vote set to take place before the Australian Grand Prix.

The build-up to the new 2026 season, which are the biggest in F1's history, has led to potential loopholes being exploited, particularly with the new power units - which are 50 per cent electrical powered.

The FIA are looking to close the loophole regarding engine compression ratios at hot temperatures, with Mercedes potentially being targeted.

Sky Sports News understands discussions took place on Wednesday during the opening day of the final test between the FIA and engine manufacturers, although Mercedes were not invited.

A vote has been submitted to the five power unit manufacturers - Mercedes, Red Bull-Ford, Ferrari, Honda and Audi - with a super majority is needed for the new test to be implemented from the summer break at the start of August.

A super majority would require six votes from the seven voters - the five power unit manufacturers plus Formula 1 and the FIA - with an outcome expected "within the next 10 days" before the season-opener in Australia on March 6-8.

The FIA said in a statement: "Over recent weeks and months, the FIA and the Power Unit Manufacturers have collaboratively developed a methodology to quantify how the compression ratio changes from ambient to operating conditions.

"Following validation of this approach, a proposal has been submitted whereby, from 1 August 2026, compliance with the compression ratio limit must be demonstrated not only at ambient conditions, but also at a representative operating temperature of 130°C."

The row centres on compression ratio limits amid suggestions from rivals that a manufacturer may have found a way to deliver a higher limit than what was theoretically imposed by the new regulations for 2026.

The compression ratio limit has been lowered from 18.0 under the previous ruleset to 16.0, but measurements are currently only taken when the engine is not running at full temperature, with Mercedes being believed by teams to be exploiting this which could give them a competitive advantage.

Mekies: We don't mind what happens with regulations

In January, when the engine saga was first reported, Red Bull engine chief Ben Hodgkinson said it was "a lot of noise about nothing" and had sided with Mercedes against the other three engine manufacturers - Ferrari, Audi and Honda.

However, Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey told Sky Sports News earlier this month that "everybody is aligned bar one manufacturer". Newey did not name Mercedes, but the stance Toto Wolff has taken that any rule change would be "quite damaging" to the Silver Arrows, suggests Red Bull had changed their stance.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said the saga "is not noise" and called for "clarity" before the FIA's statement on Wednesday.

He said: "Sometimes it was felt that we were not so sure where Red Bull was standing. At least that's what I was reading, listening to you guys.

"The simple truth is that we don't really mind if the regs goes left or if the regs goes right. What we absolutely want is clarity on what we can do and what we cannot do.

"That's what we are working with the FIA and the other power unit manufacturers to have this absolute clarity. And I'm confident that we will reach that point."

Bernie on proposed engine vote

Sky Sports F1's Bernie Collins

“It’s not the first time we have had this sort of thing in F1.

“The suggestion is Mercedes have a different compression ratio in the engine, which compresses the gas more at a higher temperature, which gives them more power out of the engine.

“We had this last year with front and rear wings where midway through the season we brought in an extra test to try and slow the leaders, at that stage McLaren, but they passed all the tests and nothing changes in the pecking order.

“We don’t know the details of the test exactly, how thorough it will be, and whether it will make a change to the pecking order because we don’t even know what it is.

“It’s a move to quieten the rumours that Mercedes have got an advantage over others in this area. Any change to regulations, particularly engine regulations, are a hard thing to change quickly because these engines are changed over years and years, so hopefully Mercedes, or other teams, don’t have any changes to make to comply with this regulation.”

'Constructive talks' held surrounding race start procedure

There have also been discussions about race starts as the new power units have made it more difficult to start an F1 car due to the loss of the hybrid element of the power unit.

This has led to concerns over safety concerns with cars unable to get off the line quickly which could cause accidents, with McLaren boss Andrea Stella raising the issue.

"We're not talking about how fast you are in qualifying. We are not talking about what's your race pace. We are talking about safety on the grid," he said.

"There's some topics which are simply bigger than the competitive interest. And for me, having safety on the grid, which can be achieved with a simple adjustment, is just a no-brainer. It's just a bigger interest."

Separately to the F1 engine saga, the F1 Commission met on Wednesday in Bahrain with the meeting with representatives from all 11 teams, the FIA and F1.

During the meeting, the FIA said "constructive talks" were held with "a "further evaluation of updates to race systems and on-car management will be undertaken during the current Bahrain test".

Sky Sports F1's Bahrain Testing schedule

Thursday February 19

6.50am-11.05am: Morning session Live
11.55am-4.10pm: Afternoon session Live
8pm: Testing Wrap

Friday February 20

6.50am-11.05am: Morning session Live
11.55am-4.10pm: Afternoon session Live
8pm: Testing Wrap

Watch every race of the 2026 F1 season live on Sky Sports, starting with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime

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