The controversy regarding F1 engines intensifies, with the FIA considering a one-year compromise.
"The teams aim to address these issues through weekly meetings."
The controversy surrounding the 2026 power unit has escalated with allegations that Mercedes is not the only one taking advantage of a potential loophole, although it may still be the primary beneficiary. According to Italy’s Corriere dello Sport, Red Bull Powertrains is also attempting to replicate the same system that purportedly enables Mercedes engines to achieve an effective compression ratio nearing 18:1 during operation, despite a 16:1 regulatory limit.
“Seven months ago, a Mercedes engineer who joined Red Bull Powertrains disclosed this secret. Since then, Red Bull has been working to reproduce this system,” the newspaper reports. However, it states that this endeavor has not been easy.
"The teams aim to address these issues through weekly meetings."
The controversy surrounding the 2026 power unit has escalated with allegations that Mercedes is not the only one taking advantage of a potential loophole, although it may still be the primary beneficiary. According to Italy’s Corriere dello Sport, Red Bull Powertrains is also attempting to replicate the same system that purportedly enables Mercedes engines to achieve an effective compression ratio nearing 18:1 during operation, despite a 16:1 regulatory limit.
“Seven months ago, a Mercedes engineer who joined Red Bull Powertrains disclosed this secret. Since then, Red Bull has been working to reproduce this system,” the newspaper reports. However, it states that this endeavor has not been easy.
The engine industry is in an uproar over claims of a loophole in the 2026 compression regulations.
"The matter has been and is still being discussed."
Formula 1's engine regulations for 2026 have sparked early controversy following reports that Honda, Ferrari, and Audi are questioning Mercedes and Red Bull over a supposed loophole regarding compression ratios.
As reported by the German outlet motorsport-magazin.com, these three manufacturers have filed a complaint with the FIA, asserting that Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains have discovered a method to maintain an 18:1 geometric compression ratio under the new rules, despite the stipulated limit of 16:1.
The complaint revolves around thermal expansion. Although the 2026 regulations state that compression must not exceed 16:1, the measurements are to be taken at ambient temperatures.
"The matter has been and is still being discussed."
Formula 1's engine regulations for 2026 have sparked early controversy following reports that Honda, Ferrari, and Audi are questioning Mercedes and Red Bull over a supposed loophole regarding compression ratios.
As reported by the German outlet motorsport-magazin.com, these three manufacturers have filed a complaint with the FIA, asserting that Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains have discovered a method to maintain an 18:1 geometric compression ratio under the new rules, despite the stipulated limit of 16:1.
The complaint revolves around thermal expansion. Although the 2026 regulations state that compression must not exceed 16:1, the measurements are to be taken at ambient temperatures.
Fernando Alonso is looking forward to the new Formula 1 season with optimism. The Aston Martin driver expects his team to cope with the switch to the new regulations better than their rivals.
Fernando Alonso: “We actually switched to preparing for the next season as early as April. I’m optimistic because with the new regulations everyone will have to start from scratch, and that gives the chance that someone will do the job better than the others.
We’re starting from scratch, and that always gives hope. Our team has a new base, a new wind tunnel, Honda is supplying engines exclusively to us. We have fuel supplier Aramco, Adrian Newey... All the facts suggest we can be optimistic, but Formula 1 is a tough sport, and everyone might do their job well, so we’ll see.
I’m relaxed. It’s a long season ahead, and a lot will happen in the first three to four months as we study the car’s characteristics, understand which philosophy everyone has chosen, and which direction we need to go next. In the first two or three races we’ll get answers to many questions.
I believe we have everything necessary for a successful season — the people, the base, the equipment. So now it all depends on us.”
Fernando Alonso: “We actually switched to preparing for the next season as early as April. I’m optimistic because with the new regulations everyone will have to start from scratch, and that gives the chance that someone will do the job better than the others.
We’re starting from scratch, and that always gives hope. Our team has a new base, a new wind tunnel, Honda is supplying engines exclusively to us. We have fuel supplier Aramco, Adrian Newey... All the facts suggest we can be optimistic, but Formula 1 is a tough sport, and everyone might do their job well, so we’ll see.
I’m relaxed. It’s a long season ahead, and a lot will happen in the first three to four months as we study the car’s characteristics, understand which philosophy everyone has chosen, and which direction we need to go next. In the first two or three races we’ll get answers to many questions.
I believe we have everything necessary for a successful season — the people, the base, the equipment. So now it all depends on us.”
Season review: Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team
Having scored the same number of points as a year ago, the Mercedes team finished the year two places higher than in 2024.
Driver
Grands Prix
Position
Points
Best start
Best finish
George Russell
24
4
319
1
1
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
24
7
150
2
2
Mercedes AMG Petronas
Grands Prix
Position
Points
Best start
Best finish
2025
24
2
469
1
1
2024
24
4
468
1
1
2023
22
2
409
1
2
2022
22
3
515
1
1
2021
22
1
613.5
1
1
At the end of the year Mercedes did not hide their delight that the 2022 technical regulations using ground effect are becoming a thing of the past. One of the smartest teams poured enormous effort and resources into developing several interesting concepts but never found a way to make those rules work.
All these years Mercedes cars suffered from porpoising, were effective only in a narrow range of conditions and worked well with the tyres only in certain weather.
Having scored the same number of points as a year ago, the Mercedes team finished the year two places higher than in 2024.
Driver
Grands Prix
Position
Points
Best start
Best finish
George Russell
24
4
319
1
1
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
24
7
150
2
2
Mercedes AMG Petronas
Grands Prix
Position
Points
Best start
Best finish
2025
24
2
469
1
1
2024
24
4
468
1
1
2023
22
2
409
1
2
2022
22
3
515
1
1
2021
22
1
613.5
1
1
At the end of the year Mercedes did not hide their delight that the 2022 technical regulations using ground effect are becoming a thing of the past. One of the smartest teams poured enormous effort and resources into developing several interesting concepts but never found a way to make those rules work.
All these years Mercedes cars suffered from porpoising, were effective only in a narrow range of conditions and worked well with the tyres only in certain weather.
2025 world champion Lando Norris beat his boss, Zak Brown, at an unusual karting tournament organized by the team's sponsors, DeWalt and eBay.
The tournament was set up for two. Lando and Zak had to take turns completing three timed tasks — drive a slalom between cones, perform a pit stop by removing a wheel from another kart, and complete a fast lap.
Youth prevailed. Zak received three five‑second penalties for the slalom and finished with a time of 2 minutes 36 seconds; Lando only had one penalty and won with a time of 2 minutes 31 seconds.
After receiving the winning trophy shaped like an impact wrench, Norris said the trophy was his and he wouldn't give it to McLaren.
The tournament was set up for two. Lando and Zak had to take turns completing three timed tasks — drive a slalom between cones, perform a pit stop by removing a wheel from another kart, and complete a fast lap.
Youth prevailed. Zak received three five‑second penalties for the slalom and finished with a time of 2 minutes 36 seconds; Lando only had one penalty and won with a time of 2 minutes 31 seconds.
After receiving the winning trophy shaped like an impact wrench, Norris said the trophy was his and he wouldn't give it to McLaren.
Vaulz: A top-three finish would exceed our expectations.
Williams team principal James Vowles believes it's impossible to predict the pecking order for next season right now, but the team's goal is to take the next step…
James Vowles: "Don't believe it when they say Mercedes' power units will have an advantage in the new season — nobody knows that at the moment. Partly these rumors are linked to an attempt by one team and one engine manufacturer to shape a particular version of events in order to secure changes that would benefit them.
But no one knows for sure. I seriously doubt that Ferrari will struggle with the engines — they get things right year after year. This year Honda produced a benchmark power unit. I don't think we'll see a repeat of 2014, when one manufacturer pulled away from the rest and everyone else was scrambling to close the gap.
Williams team principal James Vowles believes it's impossible to predict the pecking order for next season right now, but the team's goal is to take the next step…
James Vowles: "Don't believe it when they say Mercedes' power units will have an advantage in the new season — nobody knows that at the moment. Partly these rumors are linked to an attempt by one team and one engine manufacturer to shape a particular version of events in order to secure changes that would benefit them.
But no one knows for sure. I seriously doubt that Ferrari will struggle with the engines — they get things right year after year. This year Honda produced a benchmark power unit. I don't think we'll see a repeat of 2014, when one manufacturer pulled away from the rest and everyone else was scrambling to close the gap.
Mercedes finished the season second in the Constructors' Championship — a decent result, but with a large gap to the leader. In a team video, Toto Wolff admitted that he had expected more…
Toto Wolff: "I have mixed feelings about the past season. Looking at the statistics in ten years' time someone will say that we achieved a decent result — we finished second, became world runners-up, but in reality we did not reach our goal.
We wanted to win races and fight for the championship, wanted to be the best, but we couldn't. And that's the pain of the moment — our efforts were not enough."
Toto Wolff: "I have mixed feelings about the past season. Looking at the statistics in ten years' time someone will say that we achieved a decent result — we finished second, became world runners-up, but in reality we did not reach our goal.
We wanted to win races and fight for the championship, wanted to be the best, but we couldn't. And that's the pain of the moment — our efforts were not enough."
Chris Rea was not only a singer and guitarist, but also a racing driver.
Yesterday the music world learned of the death of Chris Rea, the British singer, guitarist, performer of remarkable songs — suffice it to say that worldwide sales of his 25 studio albums exceeded 30 million copies.
But this is one of those rare cases in which the world of motorsport will also mourn the departed artist.
Commercial success allowed Chris Rea to indulge his passionate love of cars and racing — for example, not everyone knows that in 1993 he competed in the British Touring Car Championship behind the wheel of a BMW 318. But even before that he raced quite successfully in club-level events in a Caterham 7, then in Lotus and Ferrari sports cars, and in recent years he entered various historic races in his old 1957 Morris Minor painted like a police car.
Yesterday the music world learned of the death of Chris Rea, the British singer, guitarist, performer of remarkable songs — suffice it to say that worldwide sales of his 25 studio albums exceeded 30 million copies.
But this is one of those rare cases in which the world of motorsport will also mourn the departed artist.
Commercial success allowed Chris Rea to indulge his passionate love of cars and racing — for example, not everyone knows that in 1993 he competed in the British Touring Car Championship behind the wheel of a BMW 318. But even before that he raced quite successfully in club-level events in a Caterham 7, then in Lotus and Ferrari sports cars, and in recent years he entered various historic races in his old 1957 Morris Minor painted like a police car.
Usually teams combine the presentation of a new car with its shakedown during the filming day permitted by the regulations, but this time Ferrari decided to do things differently.
We wrote that on January 23 Ferrari will gather journalists at Fiorano, present the new car and announce its name. It has now emerged that on that day the new car will go on track only as part of a demonstration run, the distance of which cannot exceed 15 kilometres.
A filming day would allow them to cover 200 km, but Ferrari does not want to rush — they need to be sure of its reliability first. The first tests in Barcelona will be devoted to reliability work, and the team will hold the filming day later.
We wrote that on January 23 Ferrari will gather journalists at Fiorano, present the new car and announce its name. It has now emerged that on that day the new car will go on track only as part of a demonstration run, the distance of which cannot exceed 15 kilometres.
A filming day would allow them to cover 200 km, but Ferrari does not want to rush — they need to be sure of its reliability first. The first tests in Barcelona will be devoted to reliability work, and the team will hold the filming day later.
The cooperation between Red Bull Racing and Helmut Marko has ended. On December 19 they officially severed ties, which is now confirmed in the United Kingdom’s official companies register, Companies House.
Marko has been relieved of his director positions at Red Bull Technology, Red Bull Advanced Technologies, Red Bull Advanced Services, and Red Bull Powertrains.
On the same day a new director was registered at all of these companies — Alistair David Rew, Chief Financial Officer of Red Bull GmbH.
Marko has been relieved of his director positions at Red Bull Technology, Red Bull Advanced Technologies, Red Bull Advanced Services, and Red Bull Powertrains.
On the same day a new director was registered at all of these companies — Alistair David Rew, Chief Financial Officer of Red Bull GmbH.
Gasly: So far, the results are far from our expectations.
Last winter Pierre Gasly hoped that the 2025 season would be successful for Alpine, but then he himself asked the team to focus on 2026…
Pierre Gasly: "It's hard to believe I've only been racing for Alpine for three years — so many changes have happened in that time, both in management and in the team's structure. And every time we had to start all over again.
There were some clear high points, like the podium in Brazil, third place in qualifying in Las Vegas last year, podiums in Zandvoort and during the Spa sprint in 2023, but overall the results are far from what we expected.
At the start of the year, when the team outlined its approach and desire to focus on preparing for 2026, I was the first to say: 'Forget about this season and focus on the future.'
The reality is that we ended up last in the Constructors' Championship.
Last winter Pierre Gasly hoped that the 2025 season would be successful for Alpine, but then he himself asked the team to focus on 2026…
Pierre Gasly: "It's hard to believe I've only been racing for Alpine for three years — so many changes have happened in that time, both in management and in the team's structure. And every time we had to start all over again.
There were some clear high points, like the podium in Brazil, third place in qualifying in Las Vegas last year, podiums in Zandvoort and during the Spa sprint in 2023, but overall the results are far from what we expected.
At the start of the year, when the team outlined its approach and desire to focus on preparing for 2026, I was the first to say: 'Forget about this season and focus on the future.'
The reality is that we ended up last in the Constructors' Championship.
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Marko's departure raises concerns about an F1 'character crisis'.
"Eight out of the ten team leaders are former engineers."
The exit of Dr. Helmut Marko is viewed by commentators as a concern that extends beyond Red Bull, with fears that Formula 1 is losing some of its last notable personalities. Recent filings from UK companies indicate that Marko, aged 82, has been removed as a director from several Red Bull companies, including Red Bull Racing Limited, Red Bull Advanced Technologies, and Red Bull Powertrains, marking his complete departure from the organization after two decades.
In an article for Bild, Michel Milewski suggests that Marko’s exit could present a broader issue for the sport. "What is meant to be a (partial) solution for Red Bull in its quest to regain dominance in Formula 1 risks becoming a problem for the racing series itself," he states.
"Eight out of the ten team leaders are former engineers."
The exit of Dr. Helmut Marko is viewed by commentators as a concern that extends beyond Red Bull, with fears that Formula 1 is losing some of its last notable personalities. Recent filings from UK companies indicate that Marko, aged 82, has been removed as a director from several Red Bull companies, including Red Bull Racing Limited, Red Bull Advanced Technologies, and Red Bull Powertrains, marking his complete departure from the organization after two decades.
In an article for Bild, Michel Milewski suggests that Marko’s exit could present a broader issue for the sport. "What is meant to be a (partial) solution for Red Bull in its quest to regain dominance in Formula 1 risks becoming a problem for the racing series itself," he states.
Cadillac named the race engineers for Bottas and Perez
Cadillac has taken another important step toward its Formula 1 debut, which is two and a half months away. The American team announced the names of the race engineers for Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, as well as the name of the chief race engineer. Cadillac's chief race engineer role was filled by Charles Leclerc's former race engineer, Xavi Marcos. The Spanish specialist had worked with the Ferrari driver since 2019, but in 2024, ahead of the Imola round, Ferrari decided to replace him with Bryan Bocci. Before joining the Scuderia, Marcos worked as an engineer in Formula 1 for HRT and Williams. At the start of 2025, Marcos was appointed Cadillac's technical director for endurance racing, responsible for projects in the IMSA series in the GTP class and in the FIA WEC in the Hypercar class.
Cadillac has taken another important step toward its Formula 1 debut, which is two and a half months away. The American team announced the names of the race engineers for Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, as well as the name of the chief race engineer. Cadillac's chief race engineer role was filled by Charles Leclerc's former race engineer, Xavi Marcos. The Spanish specialist had worked with the Ferrari driver since 2019, but in 2024, ahead of the Imola round, Ferrari decided to replace him with Bryan Bocci. Before joining the Scuderia, Marcos worked as an engineer in Formula 1 for HRT and Williams. At the start of 2025, Marcos was appointed Cadillac's technical director for endurance racing, responsible for projects in the IMSA series in the GTP class and in the FIA WEC in the Hypercar class.
Antonelli: I'm especially pleased by Max's compliments.
Kimi Antonelli’s rookie season was uneven, but the 19-year-old Formula 1 debutant still managed to reach the podium three times and finished the championship seventh in the drivers’ standings, just six points behind Lewis Hamilton, whom he replaced at Mercedes.
Kimi summed up his first year in the top tier of motorsport in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
Question: What did you not yet know about Formula 1 a year ago?
Kimi Antonelli: I didn’t know how to trust my instincts. I’m learning to listen to myself more and to stay focused without thinking about the final result. During the season I sometimes got upset, and at some important moments I had the wrong mindset, thinking more about defence than attack.
Kimi Antonelli’s rookie season was uneven, but the 19-year-old Formula 1 debutant still managed to reach the podium three times and finished the championship seventh in the drivers’ standings, just six points behind Lewis Hamilton, whom he replaced at Mercedes.
Kimi summed up his first year in the top tier of motorsport in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
Question: What did you not yet know about Formula 1 a year ago?
Kimi Antonelli: I didn’t know how to trust my instincts. I’m learning to listen to myself more and to stay focused without thinking about the final result. During the season I sometimes got upset, and at some important moments I had the wrong mindset, thinking more about defence than attack.
Dakar 2026: Less than two weeks remain until the start.
Less than two weeks remain until the start of the Dakar rally-raid, and in January 2026 interest in the legendary supermarathon will, as always, be very high — that is beyond doubt.
Among other reasons, Carlos Sainz Sr., the father of the Williams driver and a four-time Dakar winner, will take part in the event for the last time in his illustrious career — as he did last year, together with his long-time co-driver Lucas Cruz he will line up at the start in a race-prepared Ford Raptor off‑road vehicle.
The rally-raid is being held in Saudi Arabia for the seventh time, and its main events will begin on January 3 with the ceremonial start and the prologue. The race will finish on January 17 in the same coastal city of Yanbu where it begins.
Less than two weeks remain until the start of the Dakar rally-raid, and in January 2026 interest in the legendary supermarathon will, as always, be very high — that is beyond doubt.
Among other reasons, Carlos Sainz Sr., the father of the Williams driver and a four-time Dakar winner, will take part in the event for the last time in his illustrious career — as he did last year, together with his long-time co-driver Lucas Cruz he will line up at the start in a race-prepared Ford Raptor off‑road vehicle.
The rally-raid is being held in Saudi Arabia for the seventh time, and its main events will begin on January 3 with the ceremonial start and the prologue. The race will finish on January 17 in the same coastal city of Yanbu where it begins.
Red Bull co-owner Mark Mateschitz and his partner Victoria Swarovski will take part in the Dakar Rally 2026, which will be held from January 3 to 17.
The only son of Dietrich Mateschitz usually avoids public attention, and this time he is registered as "Mark Mustermann", while Swarovski is listed as "Vik Flip."
Their birth dates match the real ones, as do the photos in the timing system from the Rally of Morocco in October. But the rich have their quirks.
Mateschitz and Swarovski will not compete in the same crew — they will compete in different categories. Mateschitz will get behind the wheel of a Toyota Hilux in the T1+ class, while Swarovski, heiress to the empire, will compete in the Challenger T3.1 class, driving a BRP Can-Am Maverick R.
The only son of Dietrich Mateschitz usually avoids public attention, and this time he is registered as "Mark Mustermann", while Swarovski is listed as "Vik Flip."
Their birth dates match the real ones, as do the photos in the timing system from the Rally of Morocco in October. But the rich have their quirks.
Mateschitz and Swarovski will not compete in the same crew — they will compete in different categories. Mateschitz will get behind the wheel of a Toyota Hilux in the T1+ class, while Swarovski, heiress to the empire, will compete in the Challenger T3.1 class, driving a BRP Can-Am Maverick R.
Williams drivers on the 2026 technical regulations
The Williams team didn’t limit itself to simply summing up the past season; its drivers also shared some comments about the major changes that will take place next year when Formula 1 switches to next-generation machinery.
Car dimensions and shape
Carlos Sainz: The cars in 2026 will be 200 mm shorter — that’s 20 cm — and 100 mm narrower. They will also be 30 kg lighter. Overall, they will become more compact. The tyres will be smaller too — it will be a version of the rubber used now but reduced in size by 5%.
Alex Albon: It’s important that the car weight has been reduced so they become a bit faster. Realistically speaking, I hope the claustrophobic feeling on street circuits will be less obvious. Maybe there will be more overtaking opportunities. I think the current cars are too big.
The Williams team didn’t limit itself to simply summing up the past season; its drivers also shared some comments about the major changes that will take place next year when Formula 1 switches to next-generation machinery.
Car dimensions and shape
Carlos Sainz: The cars in 2026 will be 200 mm shorter — that’s 20 cm — and 100 mm narrower. They will also be 30 kg lighter. Overall, they will become more compact. The tyres will be smaller too — it will be a version of the rubber used now but reduced in size by 5%.
Alex Albon: It’s important that the car weight has been reduced so they become a bit faster. Realistically speaking, I hope the claustrophobic feeling on street circuits will be less obvious. Maybe there will be more overtaking opportunities. I think the current cars are too big.