By the TENS Magazine Editorial Staff
The FIA has closed a controversial qualifying loophole used by Mercedes and Red Bull-powered teams in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The trick exploited MGU-K regulations requiring a controlled power ramp-down of 50 kilowatts per second approaching the timing line. Teams bypassed this by triggering an emergency shutdown mode at the end of flying laps, maintaining full 350-kilowatt electric deployment for several extra seconds and gaining an estimated 50 to 100 kilowatts of boost on the final straight.
This software function, intended only for genuine technical emergencies, normally locks out MGU-K reactivation for 60 seconds to protect components. Teams applied it strategically on slowdown laps after crossing the line, where the lockout had no performance impact.
The loophole raised safety concerns after incidents at the Japanese Grand Prix, where sudden power losses left cars crawling through corners. Ferrari highlighted these risks and pushed the FIA for clarification.
In a technical directive issued today, the FIA ruled that MGU-K emergency shutdowns may only be used for legitimate safety or reliability issues, not for systematic performance gains. Teams must now provide data proving compliance, with strict monitoring in place.
This decision is separate from the ongoing debate over Mercedes’ power unit compression ratio, which remains under review until June.
The ban takes immediate effect and will first be seen in action at the Miami Grand Prix on May 1-3, a sprint weekend. It is expected to slightly narrow the qualifying advantage held by Mercedes and Red Bull, leveling the field for rivals who did not employ the tactic.
