Banned Mercedes trick 'not safe' with F1 2026 rule changes under ...
Tuesday's fast-paced F1 news includes Kimi Antonelli admitting a deployment trick outlawed by the FIA was "not so safe."
www.planetf1.comHere’s a concise update on the topic you asked about.
- What happened: The FIA has moved to ban a qualifying trick used by Mercedes and Red Bull that allowed extended high-power deployment at the end of a lap. This effectively closes the loophole and returns qualifying practice to the intended rule framework.[1][3][7]
- Timing and confirmation: Reports of the ban circulated in April 2026, following earlier discussions and a formal clarification from the FIA, with teams told to avoid the energy-deployment trick except in genuine emergencies.[2][7][1]
- Scope and impact: The change targets energy/MGU-K optimization used specifically in qualifying, while allowing shutdowns only for real technical issues. The aim is to preserve safety and the spirit of the rules without completely disabling energy management in legitimate contexts.[6][7][1]
- Team perspectives: Mercedes and Red Bull have not publicly contested the ban, and some coverage notes that teams have voluntarily limited use during events where risk outweighed the benefit.[3][1][6]
- Public coverage: Coverage spans motorsport outlets and video/analysis channels, reflecting substantial interest and debate about the fairness and competitive implications of the ban.[5][1][3]
If you’d like, I can pull more details on the exact wording of the FIA’s directive, or summarize how this change might affect upcoming races like Miami 2026. Please tell me which angle you prefer.[7][1]