Compression ratios will be at the top of the FIA’s agenda in a meeting with F1 teams to head off growing fears before the 2026 season gets underway
Unveiling their new engine in Tokyo should have been a significant moment for Honda to celebrate but behind the scenes, the storied grand prix team – as well as plenty of their Formula One rivals – are worried that a looming row over new engine regulations is threatening to overshadow the opening of the 2026 season.
So significant is the concern that it will be the key topic of discussion at a meeting between the FIA and the engine manufacturers set for Thursday before the first day of pre-season testing at Barcelona.
With a swathe of new engine and chassis rules coming into effect for the new season, how teams have adapted will be key to their performance, and perhaps allow some to steal a march that could render them uncatchable. Before a wheel has turned in anger, there are fears that Mercedes – who also provide engines to defending champions McLaren, Williams and Alpine – and Red Bull have gained a vital advantage.
The new generation of hybrid engines are likely to be the key to performance in 2026 and a dispute over how Mercedes, Red Bull, Honda – who are supplying Aston Martin – Ferrari and Audi have built their new units has been growing during the close season. There is mounting apprehension that Mercedes and Red Bull may have found a way to gain as much as between 0.3 and 0.4 seconds of a lap – a huge adavantage in F1 terms – over their competitors.
