Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur believes the upcoming FIA engine tests closing Mercedes' compression ratio loophole from 1 June will not significantly alter the balance of power. He views the ADUO mechanism as a better opportunity to close the gap. Vasseur emphasised that performance involves more than just the internal combustion engine.
From 1 June, new FIA tests for Formula 1 engines will close Mercedes' compression ratio loophole. The 2026 power units reduced the internal combustion engine's compression ratio from 18:1 to 16:1, checked at ambient temperature, but Mercedes expanded it when running. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff claimed it was worth 2-3hp, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen said, “you definitely have to add a zero to that, and maybe even more”.Vasseur stated, “I'm not convinced that the new compression ratio rule will be a huge game changer.” He highlighted the ‘Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities’ (ADUO) evaluations after the sixth, 12th, and 18th grands prix—now Monaco in June, Zandvoort in August, and Mexico City on 1 November due to cancelled Middle Eastern rounds. Manufacturers 2-4% behind the best engine get one extra upgrade, over 4% get two.Vasseur added, “it's not just about pure ICE performance... you have a lot in the energy management, a lot in the chassis.” In qualifying, Mercedes led by six tenths on average. In the Shanghai race, Ferrari fought closely at the start but trailed by four to five tenths per lap after the first 10 laps of stints, partly due to Mercedes' pace beyond Overtake Mode's one-second window. Improvements narrowed the gap from eight tenths in Melbourne to four tenths on Shanghai Saturday.Ferrari trails Mercedes by 31 points in constructors', leads McLaren by 49, with Haas one point behind McLaren.
