Red Bull's Formula 1 engine chief has launched a fierce defence of his team's technical approach, hitting back at rivals who have complained about a perceived 'loophole' in the new 2026 power unit regulations.
The Core of the Controversy
A significant split has emerged between the sport's five engine manufacturers, with Ferrari, Audi, and Honda lodging formal complaints with the FIA, the sport's governing body. They allege that rivals Mercedes and Red Bull have found a way to exploit the new rules concerning the internal combustion engine's compression ratio.
The regulations mandate a maximum compression ratio of 16:1, measured at 'ambient temperature' with the car stationary. However, it is believed the two teams are leveraging the principle of thermal expansion. This engineering phenomenon allows the ratio to effectively run closer to the old limit of 18:1 when the engine is at full operating temperature on track, potentially yielding a performance gain rumoured to be as high as 0.3 seconds per lap.
'They Don't Belong in This Sport' - Hodgkinson's Blunt Response
Speaking ahead of Red Bull's 2026 livery launch, the team's powertrains boss, Ben Hodgkinson, expressed clear frustration. The engineer, with 27 years of experience in F1 including a long stint at Mercedes, was unequivocal in his assessment of the critics.
"It's frustrating, really, some of this stuff," Hodgkinson stated. "I think any engineer worth their salt that doesn't understand about thermal expansion doesn't belong in this sport and doesn't deserve to be an engineer, really."
He emphasised that understanding material behaviour under different temperatures and stresses is fundamental to the role. "The regulations are super, super clear," he insisted, pointing to the specific documentation that dictates how the 16:1 ratio must be measured.
Political Games and a Confident Debut
Hodgkinson suggested a 'political' element was at play, particularly referencing speculation that Mercedes will be the benchmark team this season. "I think a lot of that talk originated from Mercedes themselves," he said, suggesting it could be a tactic to attract drivers during a tough market.
He added a colourful analogy: "My gran used to say an empty can rattles the loudest." The FIA is reviewing the complaints, with a key meeting scheduled for Thursday 22 January 2026.
Despite 2026 marking Red Bull's debut as a full engine manufacturer in partnership with Ford—a project involving three new factories and 700 hires—Hodgkinson is bullish. "I don't think you belong in this industry if you don't believe you can do it," he said, while remaining cautiously pragmatic. "You have to assume you're behind so that you always push to the absolute maximum."
With the first pre-season test in Barcelona just over a week away and the season opener in Australia in seven weeks, this technical and political dispute sets the stage for a highly charged start to the new F1 era.
