Ferrari tests Mercedes' 2026 MGU-K loophole in Hungarian GP practice
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 28, 2026, 6:09 PM
Last updated Jul 28, 2026
Ferrari attempted to implement Mercedes' controversial 2026 MGU-K loophole during practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 25. Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton executed the maneuver successfully, but Ferrari ultimately chose not to use it for qualifying due to the risk of disqualification. The team assessed that the track's layout offered insufficient time gain, approximately 0.050 seconds, to justify the potential penalty. As the Formula 1 season continues, Ferrari may reconsider the strategy for tracks with different characteristics.
- •Ferrari trialed Mercedes' lift-off trick in practice at the Hungarian GP.
- •The team chose not to use the maneuver due to disqualification risks.
- •The tactic only provided a minimal time gain on the Hungaroring.
- •Mercedes found a loophole in the MGU-K ramp-down regulations.
- •Ferrari may revisit this strategy at future races with shorter runs.
- 6:09 PMYahoo Sports — Ferrari Tests Mercedes’ Clever 2026 MGU-K Loophole, But the Risk is Disqualification
"In the highly regulated world of Formula 1, finding a gray area in the rulebook can be the difference between starting on pole and starting on the second row. For the 2026 season, Mercedes engineers found a clever loophole in…
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