On the eve of the 2026 season of Formula 1The new technical regulations promised a profound upheaval. Above all, they opened the door to the first major engine controversy. Following in the footsteps of Honda, Audi and Ferrari, Cadillac was quick to make its voice heard, with a clear message that sounded like a thinly veiled tactic against certain competitors, foremost among them Mercedes.
Controversy surrounding the 2026 engines
The powertrains that will enter the scene in 2026 are at the heart of one of the most radical reforms in the discipline's recent history. Equal distribution between thermal and electric power, strict limits on combustion, and above all a compression ratio capped at 16:1, in black and white in the regulations. However, according to several concordant sources, Mercedes has come up with a very creative interpretation of these rules. The principle would be to respect the maximum ratio during static testing, while achieving a higher ratio when the engine is running under real conditions, outside the testing phase. A regulatory grey zone has been fuelling suspicions for several weeks.
Cadillac defends Ferrari
Faced with these persistent rumours, Cadillac F1 boss Graeme Lowdon has opted for transparency. And above all, a frontal attack. For the British executive, there can be no doubt: the engine supplied by Scuderia Ferrari scrupulously complies with the regulations. Lowdon says he is "very confident and happy" to have a "totally legal" engine, pointing out that under no circumstances can combustion exceed the regulatory threshold of 16:1. Without going into technical details, he asserts that Ferrari has followed the rules to the letter, whereas others seem to be playing with their limits.
A message to Mercedes... and Red Bull
Although Lowdon was careful not to name his rivals explicitly, the target was obvious. Mercedes, supplier to four teams on the grid, is directly targeted by this strong statement. The same is true of Red Bull Powertrains, whose engine manager Ben Hodgkinson dismissed the controversy as mere media "noise". According to him, all engine manufacturers have pushed the rules to the limit, and he would be "surprised if everyone else hadn't done so". A response which, far from extinguishing the controversy, on the contrary reinforces the contrast with the stance adopted by Cadillac and Ferrari.
A relationship of trust
Beyond the regulatory aspect, Graeme Lowdon insists on the quality of the partnership with Ferrari. This is not a first collaboration between the two parties, the Brit having already worked with the Italian marque during the Manor adventure in 2014 and 2015. He describes Ferrari as a solid, iconic partner, deeply rooted in the DNA of Formula 1. Cadillac doesn't just receive a turnkey engine. Ferrari also provides direct technical support, with personnel integrated into the American team. This support is considered essential for a team preparing to compete in its very first F1 season.
Last week, Cadillac became the first team to run a Ferrari 2026-powered single-seater during a private shakedown at Silverstone. A symbolic moment for the future eleventh team on the grid, marking a key stage in its rise to prominence. Lowdon is delighted: "Every drive is a source of learning, every kilometer a further validation of the project.
The first lap of something bigger. pic.twitter.com/QCOcF7RoGt
- Cadillac Formula 1 Team (@Cadillac_F1) January 16, 2026
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