F1 Today | Mercedes dominate, Red Bull struggle on Day 1 of final Bahrain test, while FIA set timeline on engine 'loophole' decision
As always, here are the top stories from today, Wednesday 18th February.
Mercedes dominate Day 1 of final Bahrain test, while Red Bull suffer reliability issues
F1 returned to the track on Wednesday for the final week of winter testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, with Mercedes setting the 'benchmark' both in terms of lap time and mileage.
In the afternoon session, George Russell set the fastest lap of anyone across all of winter testing so far, with a 1:33.459, and the Briton racked up the most individual miles overall with 76 laps completed during his stint. The Silver Arrows also achieved the most laps out of all of the teams with 145 to second-placed Racing Bulls' 136.
Meanwhile, rivals Red Bull suffered reliability issues on Day 1, with a water leak limiting Isack Hadjar's running after just 13 laps in the morning. The Frenchman did return to the track throughout the day, but could only achieve 66 laps overall for his team - third bottom ahead of Cadillac and Aston Martin. Hadjar's fastest lap time, 1:34.260, only placed him P6 on the timing charts.
While Max Verstappen chose to stay positive, team principal Laurent Mekies told media, including GPblog, that Red Bull were not the early 2026 benchmark, in reference to Toto Wolff's comments last week in Bahrain, and said that his team are behind not only Mercedes, but McLaren and Ferrari too.
FIA sets timeline to rule on Mercedes engine 'loophole'
Elsewhere, the FIA have announced a timeline to address the ongoing controversy surrounding Mercedes compression ratio 'loophole'.
If approved, the compression ratio of the 2026 F1 cars will be measured both at ambient and a "representative operating temperature" from August 1, 2026.
In a press release, the FIA said: "Over recent weeks and months, the FIA and the Power Unit Manufacturers have collaboratively developed a methodology to quantify how the compression ratio changes from ambient to operating conditions. Following validation of this approach, a proposal has been submitted whereby, from 1 August 2026, compliance with the compression ratio limit must be demonstrated not only at ambient conditions, but also at a representative operating temperature of 130°C.”
“The vote has been submitted to the Power Unit Manufacturers, and its outcome is expected within the next 10 days and will be communicated in due course. As with all Formula 1 regulatory changes, any amendment remains subject to final approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.”
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