Mercedes has been at the center of an F1 storm over the winter over its apparent engine compression ratio trick.

Lewis Hamilton sends message to F1 chiefs amid engine controversy - Lewis Hamilton has called for an ‘equal playing field’ heading into the new season

There are a couple of new power unit manufacturers in F1

While engine performance across manufacturers has largely been balanced in recent years, the 2026 changes could deliver significant, potentially decisive gains. In 2014, when F1 first introduced hybrid engines, Mercedes emerged with by far the best, setting it on course for eight consecutive world championship wins through to 2021.

Testing in Bahrain takes place this week from Wednesday to Friday between 6pm and 3am (AEDT). You can watch the last hour, plus a post-session analysis program, live on Fox Sports and Kayo from 2am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Engine compression ratios have become a hot topic

There is a dispute between F1s teams over a rule limiting the compression ratio in the new power units for 2026; watch the final hour of each day of the first Bahrain test live from Wednesday on Sky S

Zak Brown has dismissed the swelling controversy over compression ratios and Mercedes power units as nothing more 'typical politics' of F1.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has turned the spotlight on his Formula 1 rivals, declaring Red Bull the early “benchmark” under Formula 1’s new rules as he dismissed the pre-season hype over his own team as exaggerated.

Sound editor Al Nelson wanted to recreate the experience of a Formula One race: “It’s something you feel in your bones.”

The 2026 F1 World Championship will finalize all engine homologation on March 1st, which would give Mercedes very little time to build a different engine.

A new system for engine development comes into force for F1 2026.