Formula 1 could face a new change in the competitive balance starting in June, after the FIA announced a revised test for the engine compression ratio. However, Bernie Collins, former development engineer for Force India (now Aston Martin) and McLaren, raised doubts about the effectiveness of the new verification, pointing out a large difference between the test temperature and actual operating conditions.
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This new measurement, called a ‘hot test’, will come into effect on June 1st and will be carried out at 130°C. Collins highlighted that Formula 1 engines operate at much higher temperatures, which can reach between 350°C and 400°C, which could reduce the practical impact of this change.
The engine compression ratio has become one of the main topics before the start of the 2026 season, with Mercedes being pointed out as one of the teams at the center of the discussions. According to speculation, the team had found a way to meet the current test, carried out at room temperature, while increasing compression when the engine operated in hotter conditions.
The possible performance gain varied, depending on the sources, from a minimal impact to a few tenths per lap. Meanwhile, Mercedes started the season dominantly, securing the front row of the starting grid at every stage so far, in Melbourne, Shanghai, and Suzuka, in addition to winning every race held, even though Ferrari and, more recently, McLaren have increased the pressure.
Speaking on Sky’s ‘The F1 Show’ podcast, Collins explained that this type of situation is not uncommon in the category: “The first thing to say is that this is not new in Formula 1, and it’s one of the things I love about engineering and innovation in the category. Everyone reads the regulations and thinks about what the rules say, and more importantly, what they don’t say, and how they can pass the test,” she stated.
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She also compared the situation with previous changes made to the regulations: “The verification is done with certain tests. We had this last year with the rear wings, when we changed the test mid-season to prevent flexing. The compression ratio is the same thing”.
Collins further explained the basic functioning of the concept: “You take air and fuel, compress it, and that generates the engine explosion. The more you compress, the bigger that explosion will be. The belief is that Mercedes is compressing more,” she added.
Despite the planned change, Collins highlighted that it is still too early to assess the real impact: “We don’t know what difference the test will make. Mercedes has already said several times that this will not affect them. Just like with the rear wing changes, we don’t know how this will affect any team,” she completed.
Mercedes leads the constructors’ championship with a forty-five point lead over Ferrari. Among the drivers, Kimi Antonelli holds the lead, nine points ahead of teammate George Russell.
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