Mercedes and Ferrari insist that delay in agreement on engine regulations for the 2026 season is not a deliberate bid to hamper Porsche’s entry into F1.
We are done with round 11 of the 2022 Formula one season. There were rumors going into the Austrian GP that Porsche might officially announce the tie-up with Red Bull F1 racing for the 2026 F1 season. However, no such announcement came, and neither did the talks on engine regulations for the 2026 season come to an end.
So, what’s hindering the proposition of entry of Porsche/Audi in F1? Why FIA is unable to reach a settlement in engine regulations? Are current manufacturers Mercedes and Ferrari accompanied by Renault impeding the entry of Porsche in F1? Let’s take a closer look at the talks and what everyone has to say.
2026 regulations change
Formula one has undergone a complete overhaul of regulations for the current 2022 F1 season. Yet, the pinnacle of motorsports is all set to go with other major regulation changes in the year 2026.
From more lighter and compact chassis to cleaner and more efficient engines. The 2026 regulations are expected to have a big impact both on aerodynamics and the engine of the car. We are expected to see closer racing than ever before. However, the 2022 season itself has brought car racing closer than ever. Nonetheless, engine regulations are also set to change unlike 2022 which didn’t see any major changes in the engine, especially the power units.
However, the engine regulations are yet to reach an agreement as current manufacturers and newcomers collide to make agreeable changes.
Mercedes and Ferrari deny equivocating over engine rules
Porsche and Audi have been trying to announce their plans to enter Formula one for over a year now. However, the two German manufacturers are yet to make the announcement. The biggest problem is the unclear engine regulations for the 2026 season.
Even the meeting of the F1 Commission at the Red Bull Ring led to a brief statement that made clear that progress on talks remains remarkably slow.
“The 2026 power unit was discussed by the Commission, and it was confirmed that the package of regulations is close to finalization,”
it read.
With talks not reaching any definite conclusion, some are wondering if this is a deliberate bid to stall newcomers entry.
Not at all , insists Mattia Binotto.
He further adds,
“We are very positive because it’s great for the F1, it’s great having more manufacturers, and it’s great to have Volkswagen Audi Group within our business and our Formula 1 racing championship.”
The Italian affirmed that Ferrari doesn’t want the regulations to be delayed. He further added that
“we removed MGU-H, which was not an easy choice for us.
However, the budget cap is still an issue of discussion for the teams.
I think for also Audi and Porsche, the regulations are not ready, they’re still open points, and these open points simply need to be tackled and discussed and agreed.”
he added.
Asked if the apparent equivocation was a bid to deter Porsche, Toto Wolff is adamant.
“On the contrary, we want engine regulations to get in place ASAP,” he said. “We have also sacrificed the MGU-H for the newcomers, which was a massive thing,”
he added. He called out on the newcomers saying they also need to show full commitment to enter the sport.
What FIA can do?
FIA is already negotiating the talks between the current manufacturers and the newcomers. The governing body has already said that it will reach an agreement before the summer break of this season. Mercedes and Ferrari seem to be equally frustrated with talks not reaching any conclusion. Porsche and Audi are also playing safe negotiating but not fully committing yet.
Everyone would love to see Audi and Porsche in F1. It’s up to FIA now to finalize the regulations and their entry into the sport.
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