McLaren CEO Zak Brown has dismissed rival complaints about Mercedes' 2026 power units as typical Formula 1 politics. The controversy centers on a potential loophole in compression ratio regulations, with rivals accusing Mercedes of gaining an advantage under hot conditions. The FIA aims to resolve the issue before the season starts in March.
The ongoing dispute over the compression ratio in Formula 1's new 2026 power units has intensified ahead of the season opener in Australia on March 8. The regulations limit the V6 combustion engines to a 16:1 compression ratio, reduced from 18:1 to make engine building more accessible for newcomers like Audi. This change was intended to level the playing field and attract manufacturers, resulting in five power unit suppliers for 2026, including returning Honda and new entrant Red Bull Powertrains, with Cadillac planned for 2029.
Rivals Audi, Honda, and Ferrari claim Mercedes complies with the 16:1 ratio in cold, static conditions—how the FIA measures it—but expands it under hot, running conditions for a performance edge. Mercedes insists its units are fully legal and compliant. McLaren, one of four teams using Mercedes engines alongside the works team, Williams, and Alpine, remains supportive.
At the launch of McLaren's 2026 car, the MCL40, CEO Zak Brown downplayed the complaints. "It's typical politics of Formula 1. The engine has been designed and totally compliant within the rules," he said. "That's what the sport is about. No different than things like double diffusers that we've seen in the past where they're compliant within the rules. I don't believe there's a significant advantage as being represented by the competition... But the reality is the engine is completely compliant [and] passed all its tests. And I think [Mercedes] HPP has done a good job."
The FIA, through single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis, expressed determination to resolve the matter without court battles. "As these engineers are very clever and always pushing for an advantage, some have found ways to potentially increase it when the engine is running hot, and that is the discussion we're having now," Tombazis said in a video interview. "We've spent a lot of time discussing how we solve those issues, and our intention is of course to solve them for the start of the season. We don't want to have controversies. We want people to be competing on the track, not in the courtroom or in the stewards' room."
Proposed solutions include warmed-up tests or additional sensors, but changes require a supermajority from four of five manufacturers, the FIA, and FOM. Red Bull-Ford, initially seen as benefiting, may now align against. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff urged rivals to "get your sh*t together," while Aston Martin's Adrian Newey suggested all but one manufacturer are aligned. Driver Fernando Alonso called for clarity to ensure a fair start.
Brown dismissed fears that Mercedes teams might miss Australia. "I can't imagine that you wouldn't have Mercedes teams on the grid in Australia," he said. "We'll have all the Mercedes teams on the grid in Australia, I'm sure."
The FIA seeks to prevent spillover into the season, emphasizing engineering over rule interpretation amid F1's biggest regulatory overhaul.