It emerged that Mercedes has found a potential advantage with its new engine for the 2026 season relating to the compression ratio limits.

A political firestorm has been brewing in Formula 1 in recent weeks and months over whether engine manufacturers have found a loophole in the new 2026 technical regulations.

Although Vortec engines fall under the "LS" branding, they aren't actually the exact same as more traditional LS engines made by General Motors.