With the new controls coming into effect from June 1, the FIA will close the loophole that allowed Mercedes to gain an advantage with its compression ratio. However, Ferrari does not believe that this measure is sufficient to reduce its gap with the German team.
In the midst of the transition to new power units for 2026, the compression of the engines has been reduced from 18:1 to 16:1. Nonetheless, Mercedes found a way to increase compression during the engine’s operation, which has helped them gain between 2 and 3 horsepower, according to the opinion of their team principal, Toto Wolff.
Ferrari, which has been one of the few teams able to challenge Mercedes in the first two races of the season, takes a more cautious perspective. The team principal, Fred Vasseur, has expressed that he does not expect this regulatory change to be a game changer. “I am not convinced that this new compression rule is a significant change. What is certain is that the opportunity for additional updates could help us close the gap in the future,” Vasseur said.
The new Additional Development and Update Opportunities (ADUO) mechanism will allow brands that are between 2% and 4% power down from the best engine to opt for additional upgrades throughout the season. Evaluations will be scheduled after the races in Miami, Spa-Francorchamps, and Singapore, but due to the cancellation of the races in the Middle East, the first assessment will take place after the Monaco race.
Vasseur emphasizes that this competition is not only based on engine power. “It is essential to consider energy, chassis, and aerodynamics; focusing only on one parameter would be a mistake,” he added.
Currently, Ferrari fears a significant gap that is reflected in qualifying, where Mercedes’ best lap has been six tenths faster on average. However, Vasseur has noticed improvements in his team’s strategy and race pace, despite their competitiveness in races being limited by the performance gap in straight-line speed.
With a current deficit of 31 points to Mercedes in the constructors’ championship, and McLaren situated 49 points behind, the challenge of closing the distance remains a major focus for the Italian team.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
