Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen breaks silence over alleged engine compression ratio trick

21:00, 18 Jan

byTobia Elia

Max Verstappen was caught out on the much-talked-about advantage Mercedes is believed to have secured by exploiting the 2026 engine compression ratio.

“It’s impossible to know. Everyone is just trying everything they can, and from our side — and especially from my side — I have to focus on the driving.”

- Max Verstappen

Asked by Bloomberg whether Red Bull and Mercedes could enjoy a power unit advantage thanks to an alleged compression-ratio trick found in a regulatory grey area — one that would allow manufacturers to lower the ratio from 18:1 to 16:1, potentially delivering a performance gain — the Dutchman opted not to be drawn into the debate, instead keeping the focus firmly on the driver’s perspective.

“It’s impossible to know. Everyone is just trying everything they can, and from our side — and especially from my side — I have to focus on the driving. I’m not there to be the engine technician and explain everything in detail to you.

“At the end of the day, it’s also something for the FIA and the car manufacturers, or the engine manufacturers, to sort out. I drive the car and address it from our side: we always try to do our very best to get the most performance out of the engine.”

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen spills on what helped him get Daniel Ricciardo’s No. 3

The four-time world champion, having lost the title to Lando Norris and with it the right to carry the number 1 on his RB22 for the upcoming season, has opted to run with number 3 in 2026.

The Dutchman has never hidden the fact that he has always considered it his favourite number — one that also defined Daniel Ricciardo’s career at Red Bull and with other teams he raced for.

Asked how he managed to convince the Australian to give it up, Verstappen replied with his trademark sense of humour.

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