The FIA has approved changes to the technical regulations for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, which change the method of measuring the geometric compression ratio in engines. In theory, this should affect the Mercedes engine, but they also supported these changes. The situation is resolved, but controversies may still return.
Read more F1 team lineups for the 2026 season
The FIA published modified versions of the regulations for F1 on February 27, 2026, which was the last possible date, one week before the start of the season. Many minor changes and a few more significant ones were introduced. In 2026, the requirement to perform two pit stops in the Monaco GP will disappear, and the Q3 segment in qualifying will last 13 instead of 12 minutes as in previous years. The main focus is on the modification of a key point in the technical regulations regarding the compression ratio. The controversies related to this lasted three months and should now be resolved, but personally, I expect that this is not the end.
I will not recall the whole matter here; if anyone is interested in this topic, I refer you to my article from February 6, where I explained and discussed everything very thoroughly. Just click here.
Modified method of measuring the compression ratio in F1 engines
The modified provision of the technical regulations for the 2026 season states that:
Until May 31, 2026, the measurement method remains unchanged, i.e., it will be performed at ambient temperature.
From June 1 until the end of the year, the measurement will be performed at ambient temperature and at a temperature of 130 degrees Celsius. At the same time, it is forbidden to have components, mechanisms, or solutions in the engine that are designed or have functions to increase the compression ratio above 16:1.
Each manufacturer must provide the FIA with a modified document with a procedure regarding how their engine meets the new regulatory provision.
At the same time, the FIA approved a change to the regulations for the 2027 season. From next year, the compression ratio measurement will be performed only at a temperature of 130 degrees Celsius. There will no longer be tests when the engine is cold.
Read more Formula 1 calendar in 2026
Commentary, consequences, and possible controversies
According to FIA information, all voters supported these changes, including Mercedes. Can anyone imagine Mercedes wanting to change the regulations to their disadvantage? Toto Wolff has spoken very sharply recently, and now he would support a regulatory change that hits his engine? Of course, it could be a PR move; if they knew how others would vote, they didn’t want to break ranks and show that it would affect them.
According to various information from the ending month, Mercedes was not afraid of this change. Their engine was supposed to pass a test examination at high temperature. If this is true, nothing will change, and the modification of the regulations will have no impact on the current balance of power. It will be a classic storm in a teacup.
If Mercedes had to physically modify their engines, the teams using them would have a problem. Modifications cannot be introduced to engines that have already been used. The changes will come into effect from the eighth race weekend of this season. If Mercedes had to change the design, they would then introduce new internal combustion engines for their teams, and they would not be able to use the previously used ones because the FIA would disqualify them. I don’t think it will be possible to complete seven race weekends on one engine; they will need two. The limit for the entire season is four sets, so in such a scenario, many penalties are likely for them in the second half of the season.
The topic of the geometric compression ratio in engines did not exist in past years, but it has become very loud over the last three months. 100% of all engine manufacturers are intensively dealing with this. If it is actually possible to find a way to increase this ratio to gain additional engine power, everyone will work on it. If anyone thinks the matter is definitively resolved, they don’t know Formula 1. Engines will be tested at a temperature of 130 degrees Celsius – specifically that value. When it is known how the measurement is carried out, solutions can be designed that pass the measurement while providing benefits in other conditions.
P.S. I really don’t like changing the regulations even before the start of the season. It’s not worth being innovative and inventing new things because they are then blocked even before they are used. That’s not what F1 and technical development are about.
Read more F1 sprint calendar in 2026
