FIA launches vote on power units

One of the key talking points this year, amid the major regulation changes, has been the power units and a solution reportedly found by Mercedes. The Formula 1 Power Unit Advisory Committee met in Bahrain today to discuss the matter.

Under the current regulations, the compression ratio is measured at ambient temperature. However, other manufacturers — Ferrari, Audi, Honda and Red Bull — believe that when the Mercedes HPP engine is running under operating conditions, it delivers not a 16:1 ratio but closer to 18:1. As a result, those manufacturers are pushing for a change in the measurement methodology.

Following the meeting, the FIA put forward a proposal to introduce a revised measurement procedure from 1 August 2026 and submitted it to an electronic vote.

In an official statement, the FIA said:
“The Federation has worked in recent weeks and months with power unit manufacturers to develop a quantitative assessment method for variations in compression ratio depending on ambient and operating conditions. After validation of this approach, it has been proposed that, from 1 August 2026, compliance with the compression ratio limit must be verified not only at ambient temperature but also at an operating temperature of 130°C.

The proposal has been submitted to the power unit manufacturers for voting. The results are expected within the next 10 days. As with all amendments to the Formula 1 regulations, any change must ultimately receive final approval from the FIA World Motor Sport Council.”