Ferrari planning protest against Mercedes at Australian GP as engine loophole debate rages: Report

Reports of Mercedes and Red Bull finding the compression ratio loophole came out earlier in December, followed by the team demanding FIA for clarification on the same. As per the latest reports, Ferrari is planning to protest against the teams using the loophole at the Australian GP.

FIA introduced all-new regulations for the 2026 season, which include a brand new power unit. The FIA reduced the maximum compression ratio from 18:1 to 16:1 going into the new set of regulations. However, Mercedes and Red Bull reportedly found a way to increase the compression ratio once the engines heat up by using materials that expand once heated.

However, with FIA conducting the compression ratio test at ambient temperatures, the Brackley-based team will pass the tests. With reports around the same coming out, Honda, Ferrari, and Audi protested and asked FIA for clarification on the same.

A report came out a few days ago, which suggested that FIA has allowed Mercedes to use the engine that exploits the loophole with the guarantee that the same will be ditched for the 2027 season. This is similar to the DAS (dual axis steering) used by Mercedes in 2020, which was allowed for that season, but banned in 2021.

AUTO: OCT 17 F1 United States Grand Prix - Source: Getty

As per the latest reports, the Maranello-based team has lodged multiple complaints to the FIA for clarification on the same. According to F1 Insider, Ferrari is planning to protest the same at the Australian GP under the rule that the cars must comply with regulations at all times.

“Accordingly, Ferrari is apparently even considering a protest at the first race. The Scuderia is invoking the principle that cars must comply with the technical regulations at all times,” read the report

FIA also introduced stricter tests following the Flexi wing controversy earlier this year. The wings would comply with the tests when static, but flex under load.

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What sort of advantage do Mercedes and Red Bull get with the compression ratio loophole?

A higher compression ratio means that Mercedes and Red Bull would be able to extract more mechanical energy from the air fuel ratio (AFR). Since the AFR is pressurised further, it leads to a bigger combustion, hence providing more horsepower.

According to reports, the loophole exploited by the teams could be worth up to 15 horsepower, which, depending on the layout of the circuit, could be worth up to three tenths of a second. With the preseason testing less than a month away, the rivals would have to completely redesign the internal combustion unit to take advantage of the loophole.

Mercedes was reportedly the first to find the loophole. After an employee from Brackley joined Red Bull, the same was implemented by the Milton Keynes-based outfit. However, the hybrid system will produce similar power to the ICE. Also, the sustainable fuels introduced for 2026 will play a large role in deciding which power unit is the most efficient. All these factors mean that the Brackley-based outfit will not necessarily have the best power unit despite exploiting the loophole.

Edited by Pranay Bhagi