US EditionRed Bull Powertrain Boss Addresses Reports of the Team Allegedly Exploiting the Compression Ratio Loophole
Red Bull engine chief Ben Hodgkinson says the 2026 power unit meets FIA rules despite rivals' concerns about compression ratios measured only at ambient temperature.
- On Jan 16, 2026, Ben Hodgkinson, Red Bull engine chief, said he is confident the 2026 power unit is legal and dismissed the controversy as `a lot of noise about nothing`.
- The dispute stems from a rule change lowering the compression ratio from 18.1 to 16.1, measured only at ambient temperature, with Hodgkinson saying teams push designs to the regulatory limit.
- Article C1.5 requires Formula 1 Cars to comply at all times, while Article C5.4.3 limits checks to stationary, ambient engines, favoring Mercedes and Red Bull.
- Audi, Ferrari and Honda have taken the matter to the FIA, while reports say Red Bull Powertrains with Ford developed an engine delivering higher compression than intended.
- The Red Bull engine chief urged teams to ignore the noise, telling rivals `You just have to play your own race really` and calling the controversy `almost just noise`.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Red Bull and Mercedes accused of exploiting F1 ‘loophole' sparking FIA review
Red Bull and Mercedes have been accused of exploiting a new F1 "loophole" just before the upcoming campaign begins.Red Bull's engine chief Ben Hodgkinson denied any accusations about the new power unit regulations, maintaining that the rules are "crystal clear" and that "any engineer worth their salt" should have grasped their meaning.Hodgkinson, who made his remarks in Detroit ahead of Red Bull's 2026 livery unveiling at Michigan Central Statio…
Red Bull Powertrain boss addresses reports of the team allegedly exploiting the compression ratio loophole
Red Bull powertrain boss Ben Hodgkinson has addressed rumors that the squad's first power unit might be exploiting the compression ratio loophole and feels that his team is operating right at the limi
Red Bull confident about legality of 2026 F1 power unit
Ben Hodgkinson, technical director of Red Bull Powertrains, expressed confidence in the legality of the team’s 2026 F1 power unit, dismissing reports suggesting the contrary as “just noise”. In recent weeks, controversy has arisen over the 16:1 compression ratio limit set in the Technical Regulations for the 2026 F1 season. According to rumours, Red Bull... The post Red Bull confident about legality of 2026 F1 power unit appeared first on Motors…
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