Even before the 2026 calendar year has begun, the first controversy under F1's new ruleset has already surfaced. It concerns the engine regulations, and more specifically the compression ratio of the internal combustion engine – the ratio between the cylinder's maximum and minimum volume.
Under the previous regulations, that ratio stood at 18:1, but for the 2026 regulations the FIA has reduced it to 16:1, partly because it would be easier to achieve for new entrants. Article C5.4.3 of the 2026 regulations states:
