Formula 1 News: Tombazis plays down engine fears as FIA meeting looms
(GMM) FIA technical chief Nikolas Tombazis (pictured) has sought to cool the rhetoric surrounding the 2026 engine debate, as manufacturers gather today to address concerns over alleged compression-ratio loopholes.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Nikolas Tombazis described claims of a decisive advantage for Mercedes or Red Bull-Ford as “exaggerated,” while acknowledging that clarification is needed.
“Of course, everyone is incredibly passionate and competitive,” Tombazis said. “When people are in that frame of mind, it can lead to a certain blindness to other arguments.
“The technical rules are never completely simple, and then it’s up to us to clarify these matters. I don’t think it’s as big a problem as the press is currently making it out to be,” he added.
Tombazis insisted the FIA wants the issue settled before the season opener in Melbourne. “It’s our top priority to ensure we don’t get into any controversy,” he said. “We want to race and not end up in court after the first race.”
Editor’s Note: Any F1 engine designer not aware of the thermal expansion possibilities of the piston connecting rods has no business being in the sport and should retire.
Not all teams are reassured. At Audi’s launch in Berlin, technical director James Key warned against allowing any perceived loophole to stand.
“It’s a completely new set of rules. You need a level playing field,” Key said. “If someone comes up with a clever diffuser and you say it’s not the right way to do it, but they can still use it all year, that doesn’t make sense. We would never accept that.”
Audi boss Mattia Binotto echoed the point, stressing that today’s talks are not about compromise.
“I don’t think the rumors will clarify what happened,” he said. “The real goal of the meeting is to discuss how to improve a method for measuring compression ratio under operating conditions for the future.”
“You can protest if you know what you’re protesting against,” Binotto added pointedly.
According to multiple reports, Ferrari is already considering a formal protest in Australia, potentially joined by Honda and Audi – unless the FIA intervenes decisively now.
Former driver Alexander Wurz expects no quick fix. “This will not change overnight,” he told Kronen Zeitung. “We’ll hear about this in the next six or seven months.”
Wurz also warned that the transition will be hardest on newcomers. “It’s going to be difficult for Red Bull with Ford, but also for Audi,” he said, adding that Ferrari and even Honda have their own concerns.