It’s a big day for Mercedes in Bahrain. Not only have the Silver Arrows started the final test week ahead of the Australian GP. A meeting of the Power Unit Advisory Committee (PUAC) with the FIA and the five engine manufacturers – Mercedes, Honda, Red Bull Power Trains, Ferrari and Audi – is also scheduled for today. That meeting is reportedly intended to settle the controversy around Mercedes’ so‑called “engine trick.” Steve Nielsen, director of Mercedes customer team Alpine, says he isn’t worried about any intervention from the FIA.
It’s a rumour that has occupied the Formula 1 paddock for weeks. The Mercedes team is said to have found a way to raise the compression ratio to 18:1 while the car is on track. The Silver Arrows, however, comply with the 16:1 ratio that will apply in 2026 when the FIA carries out static measurements. That could deliver a time advantage to Mercedes – and their customer teams McLaren and Alpine.
‘Rules are clear’
Toto Wolff had already voiced concern about possible FIA intervention. Alpine boss Steve Nielsen, however, is much less worried. “Personally I’m not concerned, because I think the rules are very clear about when the compression ratio is measured,” the Alpine director says. “Some teams try to add other parameters to that. They do that for reasons only they know, but no — we have full confidence in Mercedes. They have, in good faith, built a power unit according to very clear regulations, and we are satisfied with that. We trust the governing body will do the right thing.”
Nielsen is therefore not worried about a protest from rival teams in Melbourne. “They have the right to protest, I think,” he says. “If they feel that strongly about it, then they should commit to it. They should do something about it. I don’t know whether the FIA will take a position on this before Melbourne. I actually hope they do, because I hope Melbourne isn’t about compression ratios.” Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur had already announced that his team would not file a protest during the Australian GP.
Precedent
Nielsen is concerned that if the FIA does indeed adjust the tests for compression ratio, it would create an entirely new precedent. “If we say that a very clear set of regulations, a written set of regulations, can be challenged in this way, what else becomes forbidden territory?” the Alpine team boss asks. “You could say I’m biased because we have a Mercedes engine in our car. But that is, honestly, what I believe. I think the more fundamental question is: do we really want a sport where clearly defined rules can be contested on a whim because people feel like it? I think that is a question for the FIA…”
