The compression ratio in Mercedes’ and Red Bull's 2026 engines has come under scrutiny in F1, but what’s really behind it?

Formula 1 is edging towards its first major dispute of the 2026 era, with a possible engine loophole fuelling tension ...

In a conventional piston engine, the compression ratio defines the relationship between the largest and smallest volume of a cylinder - when its piston is at bottom dead centre and top dead centre ...

Ever since the first internal combustion engine hit top dead centre, engineers have been locked in an inexorable battle with compression ratios. Too low a compression ratio and the engine's efficiency ...