How much lap time Mercedes will lose after the FIA banned their engine trick
The impact of the FIAâs engine trick ban
The Formula 1 landscape has shifted following the FIAâs decision to prohibit a specific engine mode previously utilized by Mercedes and Red Bull during qualifying sessions. The controversy centers on the MGU-Kâs emergency cut-off, a feature originally intended for safety protocols that was repurposed to extract additional performance at the conclusion of a qualifying lap.
The practice, which was reportedly first identified by Ferrari, has now been officially curtailed. The FIA has informed both Mercedes and Red Bull that this mode is strictly reserved for genuine emergency situations, effectively closing a loophole that teams had been exploiting for a competitive edge.
Quantifying the performance loss
While the ban marks a significant regulatory intervention, early analysis suggests the impact on the grid hierarchy may be negligible. Reports from the Italian outlet Corriere della Sera indicate that Mercedes is expected to lose "very little" performance as a result of the change. The consensus is that the advantage provided by the trick was marginal, estimated at "less than half a tenth" of a second, with the suggestion that Mercedesâ overall superiority remains rooted in other areas of their package.
This assessment is supported by F1 journalist Jon Noble, who noted on The Race podcast that the gain was minimal. âI donât think anyone will miss it, there was a minimal gain,â Noble stated. âWe spoke to a manufacturer in Japan, and they said it was worth three hundredths of a second.â
While three hundredths of a second may seem inconsequential to the casual observer, the fine margins of Formula 1 mean such gains are highly valued. Noble added, âIt doesnât sound like a lot, but F1 teams run on hundredths of a second; it can make an awful lot of difference.â
A leveling playing field?
The decision to ban the mode prevents a potential arms race, as other manufacturers were reportedly attempting to replicate the system. âI think we wouldâve gone into a scenario where others wouldâve been forced to copy it,â Noble explained. âWe know one manufacturer was looking to do it but couldnât get it to work.â
With this specific advantage now removed, attention turns to whether rivals such as Ferrari and McLaren can capitalize and challenge the Silver Arrows for race victories. The upcoming Miami Grand Prix will serve as the first true test to determine the real-world impact of the FIAâs ruling and whether it will alter the competitive balance of the season.
Simone Scanu
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.