According to the claims, the engine department of Mercedes and Red Bull knew how to interpret the rule change more creatively than others.
If the claim is true, Red Bull and McLaren will benefit, Ferrari will not. PDO
The rules of the F1 series will change radically next year. It offers garages and engine manufacturers the opportunity to seek an advantage by creatively stretching the regulations.
They have found a loophole in the rules according to media reports Mercedes and Red Bull powertrain manufacturing units. Competitors, i.e. Ferrari, Honda and Audi, are understandably very upset about the suspected operation on the gray borderlands of the regulations.
This is what it’s all about
One of the numerous rule changes next season concerns the compression ratio of F1 engines. According to the new record, the compression ratio must not exceed 16:1. As a simplified rule of thumb, a bigger compression ratio means more power.
Claims have now spread to the public that Mercedes and Red Bull have found a way to increase the compression ratio. Competitors are furious and are calling on F1 to intervene, but Red Bull and Mercedes insist they are following the letter of the law.
An essential part of the DNA of the F1 series has been, since the beginning of the sport’s history, the ability to interpret the rules in a way that is not prohibited. Fiddling with the compression ratio would seem to be the most recent example.
In the updated rules of the F1 series for the next season, a change has been made to the rule section regarding the compression ratio. Previously, the rules stated that the compression ratio must not exceed the specified limit. This year, the embroidery was changed in the rule book so that the limit cannot be exceeded at the time of measurement, which is performed when the engine temperature is normal.
The story continues after the picture.
Red Bull and Mercedes have apparently understood the change of a few words in the rule section. According to the claims that came up, the compression ratio of the Mersu and Red Bull mills is better when the machine is running hot. This is made possible by the materials used in the engines, which expand as the temperature rises.
The benefit is small, but in formulas the margins are decisive. According to estimates, 15–20 more horsepower is released from the engines than the competitors.
Even if the competitors’ claims are true, Mercedes and Red Bull can defend themselves by saying that they are not breaking the rules if the compression ratio is actually correct at the time of measurement, i.e. when the engine is cool.
In addition, Red Bull and Mercedes can prevent the regulation section from being changed by appealing to the late date of the change.
In addition to the factory team, Mersu machines will be used next season by McLaren, Williams and Alpine. Red Bull engines are trusted by both Red Bull teams.
Six teams can form an alliance that prevents the rule change in a quick time frame.
The international automobile association FIA commented on the matter to The Race website by reminding that exceeding the compression ratio mentioned in the rules is no longer allowed.
However, without a way to test whether the claim that the two engine manufacturers are competing is true, it will be very difficult to prove that the Mercedes and Red Bull engines are illegal.