A crucial meeting involving power unit manufacturers, the FIA, and FOM is scheduled for Wednesday morning, according to PlanetF1.com.
This meeting comes at a pivotal time, with the homologation deadline approaching on March 1.
Upcoming Meeting of the Power Unit Advisory Committee
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As discussions regarding power unit regulations intensify—especially surrounding the compression ratio issues that emerged over the winter—the Power Unit Advisory Committee (PUAC) will convene in Bahrain on Wednesday, coinciding with the F1 Commission’s meeting.
While sources had anticipated this meeting for some time, there has been a peculiar lack of communication about its schedule, though the urgency is clear given the engine homologation deadline of March 1.
Multiple reports confirm that two distinct meetings are planned for Wednesday morning: one for the F1 Commission and the other for the PUAC, with agendas likely interlinked.
The PUAC has convened several times recently as power unit manufacturers (PUMs) seek clarity on compression ratio measurement guidelines, amidst claims that Mercedes may be exploiting a loophole in the regulations, recently revealed by personnel transitions between manufacturers.
Details on the F1 2026 Power Unit Discussion
According to the regulations, the maximum geometric compression ratio per cylinder is set at 16.0, with measurements taken at ambient temperature. Reports suggest that Mercedes could be operating at higher compression ratios during races, while still adhering to the measurement standards.
This theory has not been denied by Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, who stated last week that the manufacturer is ready to accept any regulatory changes, though such changes might negatively affect their power unit performance.
The other four PUMs view this situation as a regulatory violation, leaving Mercedes isolated, especially since Red Bull Powertrains recently appeared to shift its position in the debate.
The PUAC includes the five PUMs, FIA, and FOM, distinct from the F1 Commission which consists of the 11 teams, along with the FIA and FOM. Insight indicates that the non-Mercedes PUMs will propose a new methodology for measuring compression ratios at elevated temperatures, aiming to secure a supermajority vote for rapid adoption of this test into regulations.
Achieving a supermajority will require support from the FIA and FOM for the regulation change to be presented to the World Motorsport Council for approval. If successful, the key issue will be whether Mercedes—or any affected PUM—can adapt their power units in time for the March 1 homologation deadline, or if protests against Mercedes-powered vehicles will emerge after the season opener in Australia.
Should a supermajority fail to materialize, protests could still be filed in Australia if the non-Mercedes PUMs remain firm in their belief that Mercedes is violating regulations. The central contention revolves around the ambiguous regulatory language, and it remains to be seen if the four PUMs can convincingly argue for a necessary regulatory change.
