FIA clears Mercedes’ 2026 engine after ‘secret checks’ following pressure from Ferrari and Red Bull

Key Highlights

• The key issue is that the FIA checks this ratio only in ambient conditions, not during actual engine operation. Mercedes’ 2026 engine gets FIA approval after unannounced inspectionsFerrari, Audi, and Honda were the first to take their concerns about the Mercedes engine to the FIA.
• The Silver Arrows say the governing body had already been kept in the loop about their design.
• Red Bull joined in with similar complaints later on, but only after they couldn’t replicate what Mercedes had done. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAutosprint reported that Ferrari were particularly upset that Mercedes were allowed to build an engine capable of running a higher combustion rate than permitted.
• Estimates suggest it could be worth as much as four-tenths per lap. The group of teams pushing for stricter checks wanted tests carried out while the engines were fully warmed up.
• But the FIA had already conducted private inspections under those exact conditions before any official complaints were made public. The governing body has since informed Mercedes that their setup is fully within legal bounds.