Mattia Binotto — now head of Audi’s F1 project — has also weighed in on the rumours surrounding the alleged engine trick by Mercedes and Red Bull. Binotto’s former employer, Ferrari, is reportedly preparing to lodge a protest alongside Honda and Audi against the supposed trick after the upcoming Australian GP. According to Binotto, however, you can’t just file a protest: ‘You can protest if you know what you are protesting against.’
Although the first race of the 2026 season has yet to be run, the controversy over the alleged engine trick by Mercedes and Red Bull is already keeping the paddock talking. Both teams are said to have found a loophole in the new engine regulations that allows them to raise the compression ratio of their power units. German paper Blick has already reported that Ferrari, in particular, is concerned about the suspected advantage of the two rivals.
Protest
Ferrari, together with power‑unit manufacturers Audi and Honda, is reportedly poised to lodge a protest with the FIA once the first race in Melbourne has been run. Mattia Binotto — now head of Audi’s F1 project — warns it won’t be straightforward. “You can protest if you know what you’re protesting against,” the Italian told The Race. Still, Binotto is concerned. “If that’s really the case, then there is certainly a significant difference in performance and lap times, and that would make a difference when we begin competing.”
The FIA has, for now, scheduled a meeting on 22 January to discuss, among other things, the alleged trick around the compression ratio. Binotto does not expect the meeting to deliver concrete rule changes. “I don’t think there will be clarity or compromises,” he explains. “The meeting is more about further discussing how we can improve or develop a methodology for the future to measure compression ratios under operating conditions (in action on track). At the moment we do that in cool conditions with the engine dismantled, so you may have to wait until the end of the season to know whether you comply with the rules.”
