Formula 1 manufacturers are set for two key meetings with the FIA in the coming week, which could be decisive in bringing to a head the ongoing row over compression ratios.
The Race can reveal that separate gatherings are to take place on two days, where it is hoped that progress can be made in resolving the differences of opinion that exist between teams.
On Monday, the FIA will hold its second meeting with technical experts to try to agree on a framework for future testing of compression ratios when engines are running hot.
Then on Thursday, there is the next scheduled meeting of F1's Power Unit Advisory Committee (PUAC), where the controversy is set to be raised with a view to deciding on potential next steps.
Here is everything we know about the situation.
Seeking consensus
Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding a potential loophole in the new rules that Mercedes and to a lesser extent Red Bull may have exploited, the FIA is pushing hard to get a line drawn under the matter before the start of the 2026 season.
While no change to the rules is expected in the short term, it is understood that the avenue being pursued is to see if agreement can be reached with all competitors about a method to measure the compression ratio when engines are running hot.
At the moment, the checks to ensure compliance with the 16:1 limit laid down in the rules are taken in ambient conditions. The theory is that Mercedes and Red Bull have found a way to run at a higher level when the power unit is hot.
A recent gathering of technical experts with the FIA made some progress on this front, with some outline principles being agreed.
However, not all elements of a new measuring method were supported by everyone, with sources suggesting that only four competitors were well aligned - although it was not revealed who these were.
It is known however that Ferrari, Audi and Honda have been in discussions over the matter and wrote a joint letter to the FIA before Christmas seeking clarification.
Sources have indicated that following that first meeting, the FIA wanted more data to be obtained in tests regarding compression-ratio checks so it can make progress in trying to finalise a procedure that can be supported by everyone.
The outcome of those tests is understood to be key to the calling of the fresh technical workshop on Monday to see if agreement can be reached among the manufacturers about a specific direction in the future.
It is hoped that a positive outcome from the workshop could then be taken to the PUAC for more formal discussions about whether it is implemented.
A work in progress
Speaking earlier this month, Ferrari's engine technical director Enrico Gualtieri said he felt that discussions with the FIA had been positive so far but that work was still needed.
"We are still discussing with them [the FIA]," he said.
"We had a meeting, a technical workshop and we are going to have an additional one in the next days, up to the [next] PUAC meeting.
"So we are approaching the topic together with them [the FIA]. We are certainly trusting them for managing the topic in the proper way, going through the procedures and the governance that is in place by regulation. And we completely trust that the process could come in the next days and weeks."
It is understood that a potential implementation for a new testing procedure has not been up for discussion with the technical experts, and is something that will only be talked about at PUAC-level.
However, it is obvious that any change to the rules would not get support from the Mercedes and Red Bull teams if there was a risk of it hurting their competitiveness.
It remains unclear if those teams unhappy with what Mercedes and Red Bull are doing will take matters into their own hands at the start of the season and potentially lodge a formal protest to seek clarification over the legality of the situation.
