'Clever' Toto backed as engine row heats up

FORMULA ONE: 2026 SEASON COUNTDOWN

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JOHNNY HERBERT thinks Toto Wolff has every right to fume at rivals who are calling for Mercedes' new engines to be banned.

Mercedes are said to have found a loophole in the regulations which allows them to increase the engine compression ratio - unlocking more horsepower - at higher temperatures.

Red Bull also discovered the trick but are said to have got less out of it, and so have now apparently joined every other manufacturer in calling for the FIA to step in.

Mercedes boss Wolff (below) insists it is “very clear" that their engines are legal and told rivals to “get your s*** together”.

And Herbert said: “I get why Toto is a bit miffed with people who are trying to stop them using what they have created.

“It's not Formula 2, it's not Formula 3, it's not IndyCar, it's not one-chassis-fits-all.

“Everybody has that opportunity to come up with something clever and if (Mercedes) have come up with a smart, clever idea, good on them.

“That's part of the game of Formula 1, the ingenuity and being smart, clever and trying to get that advantage over everybody else.

“I don't think it’s fair if they kick out that technology that Mercedes have been very, very clever at coming up with.”