FIA bans qualifying trick used by Mercedes and Red Bull

April 15, 2026 Oliver Obel

Formula 1’s governing body has stepped in to tighten the rules around energy deployment in qualifying, removing a subtle advantage that had emerged in recent races.

According to The Race reported by the Sportbible, Mercedes and Red Bull were among the teams to benefit from a grey area in how electrical energy from the MGU-K could be used at the end of a lap a phase where even the smallest margins can decide grid positions.

Small margins, big implications

At issue was the ability to sustain peak electrical output all the way to the timing line. While most teams tapered off energy deployment toward the end of a lap, this approach allowed a brief extension of full power.

The Race reports that the difference could amount to roughly 50kW to 100kW in the closing moments of a lap. In isolation, that translates to only a few hundredths of a second but in modern Formula 1, that can be enough to gain or lose several places on the grid.

A rule designed for reliability

The situation arose from an exception in the regulations intended to protect power unit components. If the MGU-K is shut down due to a technical concern, teams are not required to follow the standard reduction in energy deployment.

While the provision exists for reliability reasons, it also created a window for strategic use. Teams could, in effect, avoid the usual drop-off in deployment under specific conditions.

The FIA had already attempted to limit this through a “continuous offset” rule, which prevents the system from being reactivated for 60 seconds after being switched off. That restriction carries clear consequences during races, but in qualifying where drivers routinely complete slower cooldown laps the trade-off is far less significant.

Clarification removes the grey area

Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, the FIA has now moved to close that gap, ensuring that teams can no longer use this sequence to maintain higher deployment at the end of a lap.

The decision reflects a broader pattern in Formula 1, where marginal gains are quickly scrutinized and, if necessary, regulated once their competitive impact becomes clear.

Impact still uncertain

The timing of the change is notable. Mercedes have started the season strongly, while Red Bull are still working to extract consistent performance.

Whether this adjustment shifts the competitive order remains unclear. Given how fine the margins are, its absence may only become visible in tightly contested qualifying sessions particularly at circuits where track position is critical.

Sources: The Race, FIA regulations