Brawn downplays Mercedes and Red Bull engine controversy as 'standard practice'

Ross Brawn has dismissed the controversy surrounding a potential engine 'trick' utilized by Mercedes and Red Bull as standard Formula 1 practice. Despite protests from Ferrari, Audi, and Honda regarding a perceived loophole in compression ratio regulations, the FIA has decided against an immediate ban ahead of the 2026 season.

Why it matters:

The 2026 regulations represent a massive reset for the sport, and power unit performance is critical. If Mercedes and Red Bull have found a legitimate way to extract significant power through thermal expansion while others haven't, it could establish a dominant hierarchy before the new rules even hit the track.

The details:

• The 'Trick': The alleged solution involves exploiting the difference between cold static checks and operating temperatures. It allows the compression ratio to effectively change when the engine is hot, offering a performance edge while remaining technically compliant during scrutineering.
• FIA Stance: Following a meeting this Thursday, the governing body concluded that no ban is necessary for the start of the 2026 season. The discussion focused on potential future amendments rather than penalizing the current interpretation.
• Brawn's Perspective: Speaking at the Autosport Awards, the mastermind behind the 2009 double diffuser defended the innovation. He noted that finding gray areas is 'standard fare' and that frustration from rivals is just part of the sport's evolution.

What's next:

While Ferrari, Audi, and Honda may continue to push for regulatory clarity, the immediate focus shifts to whether they can replicate or counter this technology. The lack of a ban means Mercedes and Red Bull are likely to proceed with their designs, potentially forcing their competitors to accelerate their own development to close the gap by 2026.