Overview
- Following talks on Wednesday, the FIA proposed requiring compression‑ratio compliance to be demonstrated at a 130°C operating temperature from August 1, 2026, with a super‑majority vote expected within 10 days.
- The ballot involves the five power unit manufacturers plus Formula 1 and the FIA, and any change could affect competitive balance for teams using the contested designs.
- The F1 Commission reported constructive discussions on race‑start safety, with further evaluation of start systems and on‑car management to take place during the ongoing Bahrain test.
- On track, Charles Leclerc set the fastest pre‑season lap so far at 1:33.739 as Ferrari led the opening session, while the broader pecking order remains difficult to read.
- Reliability wobbles persisted as Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar managed only 13 laps with a water system issue, Aston Martin lost time with a Honda power unit problem and a later Stroll stoppage, and Cadillac’s Sergio Perez was limited by sensor troubles.