New FIA engine testing, set to begin June 1, will close a loophole regarding compression ratios for Mercedes, but it may not be enough to support Ferrari close the gap.
With the World Championship transitioning to new power units in 2026, the compression ratio of internal combustion engines has been reduced from 18:1 to 16:1. However, the ratio is checked at ambient temperature and Mercedes found a way to increase it when the engine is running.
The Anglo-German team downplayed the tactic, with team principal Toto Wolff suggesting it equates to 2-3 horsepower. Max Verstappen countered with a different perspective:
“You definitely have to add a zero to that, and maybe even more!”
As Mercedes’ main – and perhaps only – rival in the first two races of the season, Ferrari may be closer to Wolff’s assessment.
Ferrari team principal Vasseur stated, “I’m not convinced that the new compression ratio law will be a huge factor.”
He continued, “It’s more about the application of the ‘ADO’ mechanisms at some point – their introduction will be an opportunity for us to close the gap.”
فريدريك فاسور، فيراري
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“ADO,” or Additional Development Opportunities, means power units will be evaluated after the sixth, twelfth, and eighteenth Grands Prix of the season. Manufacturers lagging between 2% and 4% behind the best engine will be allowed an additional upgrade, whereas those more than 4% behind will receive two upgrades.
In 2026, this was scheduled to occur after the Miami round in May, the Spa-Francorchamps race in July, and the Singapore Grand Prix in October. However, the cancellation of Middle Eastern rounds in April means the evaluation will theoretically take place after the Monaco Grand Prix in June, the Zandvoort round in August, and the Mexico City race on November 1.
“But again, it’s not just about the ICE performance,” Vasseur added. “I believe there’s a lot on energy management, and a lot on the structure, and it would be a mistake from our side to focus only on one factor.”
Regardless, a clear difference exists between Mercedes and Ferrari. So far in qualifying, the leading Silver Arrows car has averaged six tenths of a second faster; Ferrari has been closer in race pace, though that’s partially due to overtaking mode, according to Vasseur.
“At the beginning we were in the fight with Mercedes.”
He continued, “As long as we are within one second, we can get the extra boost and be able to keep the pace, but once they open a second gap, it becomes much more tough. We are probably pushing a little bit more than them in the first laps, and after the first 10 laps of each stint, we approach back to the four or five tenths per lap they have.”
“We know we have a performance deficit, mainly on the straights, and we have to operate on that. We are improving because we were eight tenths down in Melbourne, six tenths on Friday, and four tenths on Saturday. Step by step we understand better the situation and reduce the gap, but they are still far away.”
لويس هاميلتون، فيراري
الصورة من قبل: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
He added, “It’s not just the engine. We demand to work on everything – the aero, the tires. The races haven’t changed, all the performance factors are still on the table, and we shouldn’t focus on just one factor, but it’s a challenge.”
“We know we need to improve the ICE – but that will be after the ADO assessment – and the energy deployment, and the chassis, and the downforce. We are pushing at maximum in every area to reduce the gap.”
Ferrari currently trails Mercedes by 31 points in the Constructors’ Championship, while leading McLaren by 49 points – with Ferrari customer team Haas one point further back.
