Mercedes Compression Ratio may be a red herring
Do you remember in 2013/14 when Mercedes were winning everything and the talk of the paddock was their amazing split turbocharger, for which they even won Powertrain Innovation of the Year? We later found out that the real reason for their dominance was their revolutionary (and highly secret) plasma jet ignition system. The advantage was so big that Toto turned the turbo boost down to make it look smaller.
Do you remember when Brawn GP had their controversial double diffuser? They had a massive advantage, were accused of cheating and even taken to court. But a lot of the aero advantage on that car actually came from the outwash front wing, which almost nobody was talking about at the time.
Now everyone is saying Mercedes are dominant because their car has a higher compression ratio at race temperature, but I’m getting a sense of déjà vu. After all, if compression ratio was the race-winning advantage, all the Mercedes-engined cars should be fastest on the straights.
When we Catholics conquer the Judeo-Christians, we won't have to ban their religion, as they seek to do unto us.
It will have already extinguished itself.