Lewis Hamilton has challenged Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, to “deal with” the sport’s engine controversy, demanding a “level playing field” for all teams this season.
Rival teams claim Mercedes, which supplies engines to McLaren, Alpine and Williams, and Red Bull, which now uses its own power units, have exploited a loophole.
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This allowed them to increase the compression ratio beyond the 16:1 limit, potentially gaining crucial lap times.
Mercedes chief executive Toto Wolff vigorously defended his team as it lobbied for a rule change ahead of the Australian season opener on March 8.
He insisted their engines were legal and urged rivals to “come together” rather than make excuses.
Toto Wolff insists Mercedes engine is legal (AP)
During two three-day tests in Bahrain, Hamilton, who spent 12 seasons at Mercedes before joining Ferrari, expressed his concerns to Sky Sports: “I hope we can be involved (this season). Apart from Mercedes, we all look very close but we don’t know what the fuel load is for everyone.
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“There are rumors that Mercedes are using certain fuel loads. There are rumors that they have extra power that the rest of us don’t have. There are compression ratios and things like that.
“Hopefully this issue can be resolved and the FIA ​​can address this issue to ensure we all start on a level playing field.”
The FIA ​​has been contacted for comment. Hamilton completed 52 laps in Bahrain before handing the race over to Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.
The 41-year-old driver failed to finish on the podium for the first time in his Ferrari career and is aiming to bounce back from a challenging first season.
Hamilton’s news comes just weeks before the start of the 2026 season, with McLaren star Lando Norris seeking to defend the title he first won in 2025.
