2026 engines: compression ratios beyond the limit? Ross Brawn defends the interpretation of the rules
Ross Brawn has played down rumours of potential loopholes in the 2026 Formula 1 engines, saying it “just looks like a smart reading of the regulations”.
Ross Brawn, who during his career has also worked for the FIA and achieved major success with Ferrari and Brawn GP before laying the foundations for Mercedes’ period of dominance, has commented on the rumours surrounding Formula 1 power units for 2026, describing them as “a smart reading of the regulations”.
On Thursday 22 January, the FIA met with the main representatives of the teams to discuss the new power unit and chassis regulations, following alleged claims that one or two engine manufacturers may have exceeded the compression ratio limit set at 16:1, gaining a decisive advantage in terms of power.
Towards the end of last year, reports emerged suggesting that some engine suppliers had identified a grey area in the regulations, finding a way to comply with the compression ratio limit at ambient temperatures, while allowing the engine to operate with a higher compression ratio on track, when the power unit is hotter and thermal expansion of materials comes into play.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Brawn addressed the issue by stating: “Well, from the way it has been described to me, it just seems like a smart reading of the regulations. I don’t know enough about it like I used to. But I think every time new regulations come in, as we have seen in the past, there is always someone who finds a clever interpretation. That’s what has happened.”
Brawn also added that it is normal for rival teams, having not identified this opportunity themselves, to try to restrict what they perceive as an unfair advantage. “Naturally, for the other teams, the best form of defence is attack. And that’s what they are doing,” he said.
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