Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

No FIA intervention: Mercedes and Red Bull engine 'trick' not banned

16:57, 22 Jan

byLudo van Denderen

Ferrari, Audi and Honda have been unlucky. This Thursday, no decision was made to ban the 'trick' that Mercedes and Red Bull Ford have in their power units. GPblog learned this from conversations with people directly involved.

A regularly scheduled meeting between the eleven F1 teams and the FIA about the engines recently had a sensitive topic added to the agenda. Mercedes — and subsequently Red Bull Ford — reportedly have a 'trick' in their new engines that allows to increase the compression ratio between the cylinder’s maximum and minimum volume.

How does the Mercedes and Red Bull 'trick' work?

The new regulations state that the compression ratio may not be higher than 16:1. But teams also know: the higher that is, the more performance an engine delivers.

It has now become clear that clever designs are being used to reach a higher effective limit while still staying within the rules. Manufacturers are said to be doing this because the compression ratio is only measured when the engine is not at full operating temperature on track.

It is claimed that engines contain components that expand once the engine heats up, pushing the piston closer to the top of the cylinder than when the engine is cold. This increases the compression ratio, results in extra performance and reduces fuel consumption.

After this 'trick' became public, Ferrari, Audi and Honda were up in arms. These manufacturers are therefore at a disadvantage and believe the 'trick' is illegal. They wanted the FIA to intervene.

Red Bull Ford - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Mercedes and Red Bull Ford have little to fear

GPblog has heard from various sources in the F1 paddock that the meeting this Thursday produced little shocking news. The discussion focused less on the current interpretation of the rules and more on what might need to be adjusted for the future. In any case, a ban on the 'trick' used by the two manufacturers will definitely not come before the start of the new season, this website understands.

Mercedes and Red Bull Ford are convinced they are fully complying with the regulations. Rival Audi sees things differently, but also realizes it is difficult to file a protest if they do not know exactly what they are protesting against. After all, competitors cannot look inside the engines of Mercedes and Red Bull Ford; everything being said about the 'trick' is based on hearsay.

Although there is no news today, the book on this subject is certainly not completely closed.

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