Mercedes appears to be significantly behind in obtaining an important green light from the FIA with just a few weeks remaining before the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
We have emphasized on several occasions how critical the role of fuel is in this 2026 season, which marks the beginning of a new era for Formula 1. The FIA has mandated that the new power units must use sustainable fuels, forcing teams and suppliers to study the topic thoroughly in order to extract the maximum possible performance.
Mercedes still awaiting FIA approval for 2026
In this regard, it is remarkable what Roberto Chinchero reported just days before the Bahrain tests conclude, marking the end of pre-season preparations. According to the Italian journalist, Petronas, the supplier for all Mercedes-powered cars except Aston Martin, has not yet received FIA approval for the required certifications.
Behind the delay is the complex homologation process required with the introduction of sustainable fuels, with the Federation relying on an external company tasked with verifying all stages leading to production. For this reason, the Malaysian company is reportedly behind, for example, Shell, whose fuel Ferrari has already tested on track for use during this season.
Risks and possible solutions
As for the risks, the likelihood of Petronas-supplied cars being forced to remain in the garage in Australia is very low. It is more probable that, in the absence of full homologation, the FIA will require Mercedes, Alpine, Williams, and McLaren to run with a provisional fuel.
The reported delay in Petronas fuel homologation adds a layer of unexpected tension to Mercedes’ 2026 preparations, highlighting the immense complexity of F1’s shift to sustainable energy. While Ferrari and Shell have already validated their “A-Spec” fuel, the Brackley-based squad finds itself navigating a bureaucratic bottleneck that could have real-world consequences on the stopwatch in Melbourne. For a team that has historically excelled in the transition to new engine formulas, being forced onto a “provisional” fuel blend would be a frustrating start to George Russell’s title ambitions. As the final pre-season sessions unfold in Sakhir, all eyes will be on whether Petronas can secure that elusive FIA stamp of approval before the freight planes depart for Australia.
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