"Of course, it's ok to cheat, as long as you are not Red Bull": Fans react as FIA might allow Mercedes to race in 2026 despite breaching the loophole

Controversy around Mercedes and Red Bull's 2026 engines started circling the paddock about a week ago, with the rivals taking to the FIA for clarification over the same. As per the latest reports, the governing body might allow Mercedes to race with the controversial engine, with fans taking to social media platforms and responding to it.

F1 moves into a new set of regulations going into the 2026 season with all-new chassis, aerodynamics, and power unit. The 2026 power unit will continue to remain the 1.6L V6 Turbo Hybrid, but without the MGU-H, increased output from the hybrid system, as well as a reduced compression ratio for the internal combustion engine.

The combustion ratio regulations are what Mercedes and Red Bull have reportedly found a loophole with. The FIA conducts the compression test at ambient temperatures, and the power unit reportedly has used material which will expand, and increase the compression ratio as the engine heats up.

Rival teams, including Ferrari, Honda, and Audi, took to the FIA to get clarity over the same, with reports suggesting a meeting between the governing body, Mercedes, and Red Bull. FIA is considering two options: either to ban the engine by fixing the loophole or to allow its use and face a barrage of complaints from the rival teams.

F1 Grand Prix Of Abu Dhabi 2025 - Post Season Testing - Source: Getty

As per the latest reports, the FIA is working on a compromise to allow Mercedes and customer teams to use the power unit in 2026, with a guarantee to meet the compliance starting in 2027, similar to what the FIA did in 2020 with the Mercedes DAS system.

Fans took to the social media platform X and reacted to these reports as they commented.

“Of course, it's ok to cheat, as long as you are not Red Bull.” Another user wrote, “Of course they may because its not @ScuderiaFerrari !! If this was Ferrari they would never let them even start the first race right @fia ?” “What's the point of rules then,” commented another fan

Some fans commented on how the Mercedes domination from the beginning of the Turbo Hybrid era might be back, while others already declared George Russell as the 2026 champion.

“Lol. The other teams are going to roll over and play dead?” commented a fan Another mentioned, “Welcome back to 2014 👍” “George Russell you are 2026 Formula One Champion,” commented another user on X

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FIA issues response regarding possible changes to the compression test amid the Mercedes and Red Bull controversy

FIA reduced the compression ratio from 18:1 in 2025 to 16:1 going into the 2026 season. However, the Mercedes and Red Bull engines for 2026 reportedly reach the same compression ratio as 2025 after hearing up, which is reportedly worth 15 horsepower, around 0.3 seconds per lap.

FIA responded to whether any changes were possible to the compression test, to which they responded,

“The regulations clearly define the maximum compression ratio as well as the method for measuring it, based on static conditions at ambient temperature. This procedure has remained unchanged despite the reduction in the permitted ratio for the 2026 season. It is true that thermal expansion can influence dimensions, but the current rules do not provide for measurements to be carried out at elevated temperatures.”

Some reports also suggest that teams has found a way to keep the engine revving during partial throttle input to recharge the battery as well as to reduce the turbo lag.

Edited by Pranay Bhagi