Overview
- Ferrari, Honda and Audi contend Mercedes’ V6 meets the 16:1 limit when measured cold yet exceeds it in use, after which the FIA initially cleared the unit under ambient checks.
- Nikolas Tombazis says the matter must be resolved before Australia, with solutions under study that include hot/static measurements and other technical remedies.
- Rule changes could be enacted by a qualified majority of the FIA, F1 and four of the five registered power‑unit manufacturers, with Red Bull/Ford’s position reported as influential.
- Media estimates suggest Mercedes’ approach may be worth about 10 kW (≈13 hp) or 0.2–0.4s per lap, and a switch to hot checks could negate much of that benefit.
- Customer teams such as Alpine—and drivers including Franco Colapinto—are monitoring potential performance impacts after promising Barcelona runs, as Bahrain testing looms.