The next big regulations to hit the F1 teams, which can reshape the entire competition on the grid, will hit in 2026. The new engine regulations are scheduled for that year and will also mark the arrival of Audi in the sport.
Therefore, this is the crucial phase for every manufacturer to get the best engine out. The last time the engine regulations happened, Mercedes dominated the sport for the next eight years.
Because of that, they are still a top team and touted for a powerful revival after a sloppy 2022. But Ferrari made a move that could surprise the entire F1 fanbase.
Ferrari banned from the 2026 engine meeting
The most successful F1 team yet, 14 years without a title. Ferrari has been falling short by a mile in reconquering F1. Therefore, nailing the new regulations should be their first priority.
However, a surprising act by Ferrari doesn’t signal to be the case. According to RacingNews365, the Maranello-based team got banned by the FIA for the recent meeting in December 2022 on the 2026 engine rules.
It’s reported by the source that the ban happened over a lack of registration done by Ferrari for the meeting, which had a deadline of November 15. It’s to be noted that the deadline mentioned was an extension of the previous deadline.
Other prospective manufacturers—Audi, Mercedes, Alpine, Honda and Red Bull Powertrains were available. The source mentions that Ferrari gave no answers to their queries over the meeting ban when they approached them.
A protest against Red Bull?
Reportedly, Ferrari isn’t impressed with Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT) getting a seat for this meeting. Their issues stem from the fact that RBPT being treated as a manufacturer even though they have access to Honda’s IP rights.
However, those IP rights were returned unused when it became clear that the two entities would part ways from 2025 onwards. Moreover, Ferrari also has an issue with Red Bull getting the concessions the incoming power unit suppliers will get.
NEW FACTORY: Under construction at the Formula One team’s Technology Campus in Milton Keynes, this is Red Bull Powertrains’ new multi-million pound engine development and manufacturing plant. #F1 #Formula1 #UKmfg🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/RPR0dszUa3
— FactoryNOW (@FactoryNOW_) June 14, 2022
Those concessions are testing and dynamometer related and could give the Milton-Keynes-based team. So this could be the reason behind Ferrari’s absence from the meeting.
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