Formula 1 moves to close suspected engine loophole with mid-season rule change

[p]The FIA said in a ‌statement that it had recently launched an e-vote on changing ‌the assessment of the power unit compression ratio ‌in running condition.[/p][p][b]It said that from August 1st, compliance ‌with the limit "must be demonstrated not only at ‌ambient conditions but also at a representative operating temperature of 130 degrees Celsius".[/b][/p][p]The subject has been a major talking ‌point in the pre-season, with Mercedes - who ⁠insist their engine ‌is completely legal - suspected of exploiting a loophole to gain ​performance through thermal expansion of components.[/p][p][b]Mercedes supply engines to champions McLaren as well as their ​own works team, Williams and Renault-owned Alpine.[/b][/p][embed guid="fe3c6211-eb85-47ed-a38c-8f4364308f91" url="https://x.com/F1/status/2024186149229719656" social-type="twitter" /][p]If the proposal is accepted for August, that would still give them ⁠and customer teams ​the first 13 races of the 24-round season before any change.[/p][p]Red Bull, who are now making their own engines, also supplies sister team Racing Bulls. ‌Audi, Honda (Aston Martin) and Ferrari are the remaining engine manufacturers.[/p][p]Team boss Laurent Mekies said on Wednesday he welcomed clarity.[/p][p][b]"We don't think it's noise," [/b]he said, after Williams chief James Vowles had used that expression.[/p][p][b]"It's true that it is early days, but it will come along very quickly where it's a competitive advantage - whether its one, two, three whatever number ‌of tenths is going to make a difference."[/b][/p][p]The FIA's ​Formula 1 commission also discussed issues that have ‌emerged from testing the new cars, with the sport undergoing a major revamp to the chassis rules.[/p][p][b]"Further evaluation and technical checks on energy-management matters will be carried out over the following ⁠three days at the ⁠second pre-season test in ‌Bahrain," [/b]the statement said.[/p]