The FIA has moved to outlaw an engine-related technique used by Mercedes and Red Bull that provided a small but meaningful edge during qualifying, just ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. The method allowed both teams to extract extra performance at a crucial moment on a lap.
The two teams have experienced very different starts to the season so far. Mercedes has dominated early on with three straight wins, while Red Bull has struggled to find pace, sitting in the midfield despite using a similar power unit. Issues with their chassis are believed to be a major factor behind their underwhelming results.
Max Verstappen, in particular, has had a difficult run, failing to secure a top-five finish in any of the opening races. His best result so far has been sixth place in Australia, leaving him with ground to make up heading into Miami.
Reports indicate that both teams had been exploiting a system that allowed their cars to maintain maximum energy deployment through the final part of a lap, instead of gradually reducing power like their rivals. This gave them a slight boost—estimated between 50kW and 100kW—at a point where other cars were easing off.
Although the advantage was relatively small, often measured in hundredths of a second, it could still influence grid positions. The loophole stemmed from regulations allowing teams to deactivate the MGU-K for technical reasons, which Mercedes and Red Bull cleverly used during qualifying. In response, the FIA introduced a restriction preventing the system from being reactivated for 60 seconds after shutdown, effectively eliminating the tactic. The real impact of this rule change will only become clear once cars hit the track in Miami.
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