Pierre Waché slams Mercedes’ 2026 engine “trick”: Red Bull questions legality. Red Bull technical director Pierre Waché slams Mercedes over the compression ratio controversy.

F1 | Waché criticizes Mercedes: “Engine trick shouldn’t be allowed”

The controversy over Mercedes’ engine continues to heat up the Formula 1 paddock. Red Bull’s technical director, Pierre Waché, has taken a firm stance following the first pre-season tests in Bahrain. According to the French engineer, the so-called “compression ratio trick” shouldn’t be allowed.

“If you ask me, I would say it’s not allowed. I don’t know exactly what they’re doing, seriously, and I don’t know if it’s true or not,” Pierre Waché told GPblog. His comments further fuel tensions less than a month before the start of the championship.

The fine line between legal and illegal

Waché explained the difficulty in evaluating these situations. “It’s very complex to understand the difference between a legal advantage and one that isn’t when you’re pushing to the limit. Even more so on the engine side, because it isn’t directly measurable.”

When asked whether Red Bull has adopted a similar approach with their own power unit, Pierre Waché remained cautious. “We always push to the limit, but we try to do it in a way that’s fair for everyone. I’m not an engine expert anyway,” he added.

Where the RB22 needs to improve

Asked about the weaknesses of the RB22 compared to rivals, Pierre Waché urged caution. The car appears very strong in traction, but Ferrari and Mercedes have shown impressive speed on the straights, especially with lighter fuel loads.

The technical director stressed that it will be impossible to judge the real performance until everyone is on track in Melbourne with equal fuel levels in qualifying. For now, according to Waché, Red Bull prefers to focus on driver feedback to maximize the package ahead of the season opener.

Pierre Waché’s outspoken comments regarding the Mercedes power unit signal that the 2026 season is beginning with the same high-stakes political maneuvering that has defined Formula 1’s most iconic eras. By labeling the Silver Arrows’ technical approach a “trick” that shouldn’t be permitted, Red Bull is clearly positioning itself for a formal challenge should the F1 Commission not intervene before Melbourne. As the RB22 and its rivals continue to trade fast laps in Bahrain, the real story remains hidden beneath the engine covers, where the quest for a legal—or questionable—advantage could decide the first world title of this new technical generation.