Kimi Antonelli Backs FIA Ban on Mercedes Engine "Trick" Following Safety Scares at Suzuka

Kimi Antonelli admits the banned Mercedes engine deployment trick was "not so safe" after Suzuka scares. Read about the new FIA directive for 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 4:29 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

Exploiting the MGU-K Emergency Protocols

The technical controversy emerged following the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix, where it was revealed that Mercedes and Red Bull had exploited a loophole in the energy recovery system (ERS) regulations. Standard FIA software mandates a 50-kilowatt-per-second power "ramp-down" as a car approaches the timing line to prevent extreme speed differentials. However, teams discovered that by triggering a simulated technical emergency to shut down the MGU-K, they could bypass this reduction and maintain full deployment for longer. This granted a temporary advantage of 50 to 100 kilowatts, worth approximately two-hundredths of a second per lap, but carried significant operational risks.

The "Sitting Duck" Phenomenon at Suzuka

While the trick provided a marginal gain in qualifying trim, the trade-off was a mandatory 60-second recovery period during which the car lacked all electrical assistance. Kimi Antonelli experienced the consequences of this first-hand during practice at Suzuka, where his Mercedes W17 was left rolling slowly through the high-speed "S" Curves and the final chicane. Antonelli described the experience as "stressful," noting that the lack of power made him a hazard to other drivers on the narrow Japanese circuit. The speed differential between a car in recovery mode and one on a flying lap prompted Ferrari to formally raise safety concerns with the FIA.

FIA Intervention and Technical Directive

In response to the growing danger of on-track impeding and potential high-speed collisions, the FIA issued a new technical directive last week. The governing body clarified that the MGU-K shutdown mechanism is strictly for "emergency situations" to prevent component damage and cannot be used as a performance tool. The directive mandates that any team using the shutdown must prove a genuine technical fault occurred. Failure to do so will now result in immediate scrutiny and potential penalties for impeding, effectively closing the loophole that Mercedes-powered teams and Red Bull had utilized in the opening rounds of the 2026 season.