F1 fans online have shared their reactions to reports suggesting that Red Bull leaked Mercedes’ compression ratio loophole to other rival teams on the grid. Not many were left surprised to find out that the Austrian team was behind other engine manufacturers in finding out about Mercedes’ alleged trick.
The compression ratio loophole that Mercedes is supposed to have exploited could reportedly give the team a huge advantage over the rest of the field in terms of lap time, and the other engine manufacturers are unhappy. Ferrari, Audi and Honda have all reached out to the FIA, looking to change this new regulation ahead of the start of the 2026 season.
Previously, it was believed that Red Bull was also looking to exploit a similar loophole, which they had learned about from an ex-Mercedes employee who now works for them. But recent reports have suggested that Red Bull is now also siding with the remaining engine manufacturers and is trying to change the regulations ahead of the start of the season.
Furthermore, F1 journalist Julianne Cerasoli has now reported that those at Red Bull were the ones who actually told the other manufacturers about Mercedes’ trick.
Fans online have shared their reaction to this report, with many not surprised to hear about Red Bull’s shenanigans.
“We’re back on our shenanigans I see,” said one fan.
“If you can’t join them, beat them,” stated another user.
“My Snitch Team, I love them so much,” joked another fan.
Here are some more reactions:
“Red Bull: ‘If we can’t have it, nobody can.’,” said another user.
“Always loved Red Bull as a Ferrari fan,” joked another fan.
“Typical Red Bull when things don’t go their way lol. Guess Horner and Helmet were never the issue in the team,” said another user.
For context, Mercedes’ alleged compression ratio loophole is making all the headlines ahead of the start of the 2026 F1 season. It is largely believed that the German team has found a way around the newly introduced 16:1 compression ratio in the new power unit, which allows them to run their cars at an 18:1 compression ratio. This is because the compression ratio is to be measured at ambient temperatures, and Mercedes is reportedly using materials that expand under hot racing conditions.
Mercedes’ Rivals Could Change 2026 Engine Regulations With Red Bull’s Support
Online outlet The Race has reported that Red Bull Racing has now joined forces with Mercedes’ rival manufacturers in trying to pressure the FIA into making changes to the 2026 engine regulations. These manufacturers are, namely, Ferrari, Audi and Honda.
As previously mentioned, the new regulations say that the compression ratio in the power unit must be measured at ambient temperatures, making way for Mercedes’ loophole. Now, the Brackley-based team’s rivals are trying to change this law and proposing that the compression be checked while the car is running on track or is up to racing conditions and hot in the garage.
Now, according to the regulations of the Power Unit Advisory Committee (PUAC), four out of the five engine manufacturers in F1 must vote alongside the FIA and the Formula One Management (FOM) to bring about any changes to the engine regulations.
So if Red Bull, who are now engine manufacturers in their own right as RBPT, have truly joined hands with the rest of the teams, the four companies now have to convince the FIA and FOM to vote to change the rule. Discussions regarding this are what are currently taking place behind the scenes, presumably.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Mercedes, with reports suggesting changes could even be made in time to be in effect for the start of the season in Australia. The 2026 season could well start catastrophically for the Silver Arrows if things go the way they seem to be heading at the moment.
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