FIA Ban Qualifying Loophole Exploited by Mercedes and Red Bull
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has moved swiftly to eliminate a regulatory grey area that allowed teams to briefly maintain maximum power output during qualifying sessions. The clarification follows concerns raised over a workaround used by Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team and Red Bull Racing to optimise performance at the end of flying laps.
The issue centred on energy deployment regulations relating to the MGU-K system. Under standard rules, cars must reduce electrical energy deployment at specific points on the circuit, particularly as they approach the timing line. However, teams identified an ambiguity in the wording of the regulations that permitted continued maximum deployment if the MGU-K was disabled due to what was described as a “technical issue.”
Crucially, the regulations did not clearly define what constituted a legitimate emergency or technical failure. This opened the door for strategic interpretation. By momentarily deactivating the MGU-K under the guise of a technical concern, teams were able to avoid the mandated reduction in power output and sustain peak performance along the final straight before crossing the finish line.
Although the gain in lap time appears to have been minimal, the potential advantage in tightly contested qualifying sessions was enough to draw scrutiny. Ferrari were reportedly the team that brought the matter to the FIA’s attention, prompting a review of the system and its application.
Importantly, the workaround was not deemed illegal under the existing framework. Instead, it exploited a regulatory gap — a nuance rather than a clear breach. Nevertheless, the FIA has now acted to remove any ambiguity, ensuring that such interpretations cannot be used moving forward.
The tactic had limited relevance in race conditions. After disabling the MGU-K, regulations require it to remain inactive for 60 seconds — a significant drawback during a Grand Prix. In qualifying, however, where cars typically return to the pits after a single push lap, that restriction posed little strategic disadvantage.
Interestingly, Mercedes had already discontinued use of the system at the previous round in Japan, suggesting the performance benefit may not have justified the complexity or risk of regulatory intervention.
The FIA’s clarification underscores its commitment to maintaining competitive fairness and regulatory clarity, particularly in an era where marginal gains can have decisive consequences.