Story byMotorsport photoEd HardyWed, February 18, 2026 at 8:04 AM UTC·3 min readAlpine has strongly backed the legality of the Mercedes Formula 1 engine amid the compression ratio furore, arguing the FIA would set the wrong precedent should it intervene. This year F1 is introducing a completely new set of regulations, and one of the changes concerns the engine compression ratio, which has been reduced from 18:1 to 16:1. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut Mercedes has caused a huge stir by referencing Article C5.4.3, which states that a static test at ambient temperature is the only method of measuring the ratio. So it is understood to have found a way to meet the 16:1 limit during static tests, but increase it while the engine is running - something rivals argue is still illegal. They believe it gives Mercedes and its three customer teams - McLaren, Alpine and Williams - an unfair advantage and are urging F1’s governing body the FIA to change the procedures. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen stated his support in the German marque, arguing: “My personal view is I'm not concerned about it because I think the regulations are crystal clear on when compression ratio is measured. Steve Nielsen, Managing Director at Alpine F1Steve Nielsen, Managing Director at Alpine F1“Some other people are trying to introduce different parameters to that. That's for reasons best known to themselves, but no, we've got full confidence in Mercedes. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“They've built a PU in good faith with a very clear set of regulations, and we're happy with it. We trust the governing body to do the right thing.”Nielsen claimed “it very clearly says ambient temperature” for when the ratio is measured, so the prospect of teams protesting ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March doesn’t faze him.“They've got their right to protest, I suppose.
