Mercedes engine row exposes F1’s winter testing mind games

The precious few days of testing ahead of a 24-race calendar is always going to be time where teams will be doing their best to hide any advantage they have. Known as 'sandbagging' it is a complicated game of who is saying what and what it all means.

For instance, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was asked about rumours that his team's power unit utilised a special design that allows for a higher-engine compression ratio once it reaches temperature that crucially returns to the regulated sized when cold, and when it can be managed.

Wolff said: “I’ve been around here for a while. You get misled and you mislead others. There are no surprises anymore. The wind can change just like that. Bernie Ecclestone always said: ‘Yesterday I said A, but today my opinion is B.’ That happens all the time.”

Wolff's team have designed the engine with compliance of the FIA, the sport's governing body, but that has not stopped their rivals from calling foul play. Now, pressure from other manufacturers keeps growing, which could soon mean that Mercedes may no longer be allowed to use the trick-design.

The change in opinions, pressure from lobbying, and the advancement of car designs shows how quickly things can change in Formula 1. The reality, all the teams are taking part in the lying and cheating to protect any slender advantage they may have.

Wolff himself, in that same press briefing, claimed that the engine trick that’s been discussed all winter only yields one or two extra horsepower. If this was an admission, one wonders if they it is truly trustworthy.

The same goes for the glorification of the Red Bull engine. Isn’t it somewhat convenient that all Mercedes engine customers reported at the same time that their Red Bull power unit would be the best on the grid? It is a game of orchestrated cat and mouse.

And what about Red Bull, which positioned itself as the underdog role given the change of engine partners, only to emerge strongly from the winter. A classic example of undersell and over deliver.

And then you have Ferrari, Audi, and Honda, who reportedly sent ‘secret’ letters to the FIA about Mercedes’ engine. As if secrets last long in Formula 1. Ganging up on the Mercedes-powered teams before a race has even been held in 2026.

And what about Williams, which, after missing the shakedown in Barcelona, casually says there’s nothing wrong. No, we’re just testing virtually. Effectively saying, 'there is nothing to see here'.

For Aston Martin, who missed most of the test in Barcelona, only to tumble from one problem into another in Bahrain. The team have constantly denied reports of changes about the management structure with Andy Cowell and Dan Fallows, the latter who is already at Racing Bulls.

Formula 1 remains a beautiful intrigue. When things are going well, you point to others who are doing even better. When things are going badly, you downplay the problems and complain behind the scenes to the FIA about teams that interpreted the rules a bit more cleverly than you did.

Lying and cheating. It all comes with the territory at this stage. But to quote Toto Wolff once more: “The stopwatch never lies.” Those who are lying will be exposed in Australia soon enough and the first race of the year. That's when the talking stops and everything comes out in the open.

Also check out the latest episode of F1 TODAY, in which the guys preview the winter test in Bahrain!