FIA Confirms Teams' Engine Trick Success, Seeks Pre-Season Resolution

The FIA has officially acknowledged that at least one Formula 1 team has successfully exploited a technical loophole related to engine compression ratios, sparking a major dispute among rival manufacturers. The governing body is now urgently working to resolve the issue before the season opener in Melbourne to avoid potential protests and legal battles.

Why it matters:

This controversy strikes at the heart of F1's technical regulations and sporting fairness. A loophole allowing teams to gain a performance advantage after homologation undermines the 'freeze' intended to control costs and level the playing field, especially for new power unit manufacturers like Audi who entered under those specific promises. Failure to resolve it swiftly could lead to a season marred by off-track disputes.

The details:

• FIA Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis confirmed engineers found a way to increase the compression ratio when the engine is running hot, beyond the prescribed 16:1 limit measured at ambient temperature.
• The Trick: The loophole involves the internal combustion engine's piston compression ratio. While the FIA homologates engines at a 16:1 ratio in controlled conditions, teams—Mercedes in particular—have engineered methods to achieve an effective ratio near 18:1 at high racing speeds and temperatures, yielding significant efficiency gains.
• The Backlash: The exploit has caused outrage from rival power unit suppliers Ferrari, Audi, and Honda, who argue it contravenes the spirit and potentially the letter of the regulations established to attract new manufacturers.
• Regulatory Intent: Tombazis explained the 16:1 limit was a deliberate compromise to simplify engine design and reduce costs, making entry feasible for newcomers like Audi and Red Bull Powertrains. The previous 18:1 limit was seen as almost unreachable and too complex.

What's next:

The FIA is in intense discussions to close the loophole before cars hit the track in Australia. Tombazis emphasized the goal is to have teams competing on the circuit, not in the courtroom or stewards' room. A swift, clear resolution is critical to maintain regulatory credibility and ensure the competitive fairness that was promised to the new manufacturers joining the sport under these specific rules.

summary: The FIA confirms F1 teams have found a way to bypass engine compression ratio limits, giving some a performance advantage. Rivals Ferrari, Audi, and Honda are furious, prompting the governing body to race for a solution before the season starts to avoid protests and legal challenges. categories: [