Mercedes engine controversy: Adrian Newey hints all rivals aligned except one. Adrian Newey confirms the Mercedes engine case is far from resolved ahead of the Australian GP.

Mercedes engine case, Newey: “All engine manufacturers agree except one”

Pressure on the FIA

For the first time yesterday, the International Federation—through Nikolas Tombazis—admitted the existence of “some teams” that increase the compression ratio when the engine is hot and confirmed that it is actively seeking a solution to resolve the issue.

Obviously, Audi, Ferrari, and Honda have been pressuring the FIA for weeks, at least to implement a measurement system that is no longer “at ambient temperature” as explicitly indicated in the regulations, but rather measures the power unit while running. These three engine manufacturers were later joined by Red Bull, which some sources suggest may have sparked the case, as it became aware of the ‘trick’ from engineers recently hired from Mercedes’ power unit department to create its own engine division.

Adrian Newey keeps it brief

On the sidelines of the presentation of the new Aston Martin AMR26, the team principal and technical partner of the British team, Adrian Newey, was asked for his opinion on the Mercedes compression ratio issue. “I’m clearly biased. I think all the engine manufacturers agree except one, so we’ll see how it turns out in Melbourne,” he told Sky Sports UK in a cryptic statement.

It is well known that the FIA’s greatest concern ahead of the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season is the potential complaints that could come from the seven rival teams on track against Mercedes.

In summary, Adrian Newey’s comments further solidify the narrative that the 2026 F1 season is beginning with a massive technical and political standoff. By pointing out that Mercedes stands alone against a united front of rival manufacturers, the former Red Bull car designer has ramped up the pressure on the FIA to act decisively before the Australian Grand Prix. Whether this leads to a mid-test regulatory adjustment or a full-blown protest in Melbourne, it is clear that the battle over engine compression ratios will be just as pivotal to the championship standings as the performance of the cars themselves.