Juan Pablo Montoya defends Mercedes Power Unit legality

Mercedes under scrutiny over Power Unit compliance

Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has forcefully defended the legality of Mercedes’ power unit as rival teams continue to question its compliance with the 2026 regulations.

However, the controversy stems from what happens once the car is on track.

From June 1, the FIA will begin checking compression ratios at 130°C, a change designed to eliminate any potential discrepancy between static testing and real-world operating temperatures. If an engine were running at 18:1 under those hotter conditions, it would become detectable — effectively forcing all teams to remain within the 16:1 threshold during checks.

Montoya: “That’s the beauty of F1”

For Montoya, the backlash from rival teams misses the point.

Asked about the legality questions surrounding Mercedes’ power unit, he told RacingNews365:

"For me, it’s kind of crazy to say that it’s not in the rules."

"If the rule says [you need to] measure at this temperature and you go and measure at that temperature, and the engine is [deemed] legal, that’s what the rule says."

The Colombian argued that innovation — even when it pushes regulatory boundaries — lies at the heart of Formula 1’s competitive DNA.

"That’s the beauty of F1: finding ways to bend the rules, finding ways to do it better than anybody else, and finding things that nobody else can do."

He was equally direct in his message to competitors voicing complaints:

"And if you’re complaining about that, instead of complaining, why don’t you try to do it yourself?"

Montoya’s stance is clear: if Mercedes has passed the tests as defined by the regulations, the solution for rivals is not protest — but innovation.