Excitement is growing within Formula One about the potential return of the V10 engines, a sound that is part of the sport’s history and identity.
However, calls from senior figures in the F1 paddock, including FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, to consider bringing back the loud engines used 20 years ago have raised questions.
If simpler, louder, and cheaper V10 engines that run on fully sustainable fuels and lead to smaller and lighter car designs are introduced in the coming years, what happens in the meantime? And how would this impact the upcoming power unit change scheduled for 2026?
F1 stakeholders have been working on the 2026 engine rules, maintaining the V6 hybrid basis for the power units, for years. The ruleset, approved in the summer of 2022, has enticed Audi, Ford (via Red Bull), and General Motors to join the grid and reversed Honda’s decision to quit. This shift is thanks to the sport’s commitment to fully sustainable fuels and increased electrification. With significant investments running into hundreds of millions of dollars, Audi and Red Bull have developed new engine programs in this regard.
Initially intended to cover a five-year cycle from 2026 to the end of 2030, there are now doubts whether these rules will be implemented at all.
In a recent media roundtable, including The Athletic, FIA’s single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis, who helps shape F1’s future rules, posed two crucial questions regarding the future engine regulations.
The first question pertains to the long-term direction of the sport and whether F1 desires a different type of power unit in the next three or four years. The second question is what happens during the interim period, starting next year.
In a press conference in China, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner mentioned limitations with the rules for next year that could impact the on-track spectacle due to the split between electrification and combustion sources. However, Tombazis expressed confidence that cars will race closely and competitively, dismissing concerns about the 2026 regulations negatively affecting racing.
Any changes to the 2026 plans would depend on the stance of all engine manufacturers. If manufacturers believe it’s best to revert to the current specification of power units due to potential negative impacts on the sport, mechanisms exist to maintain the status quo until a potential return to V10 engines. However, this would create significant challenges given the absence of V6 hybrid engines from Audi and Red Bull Powertrains/Ford under the current regulations.
The future of the 2026 changes appears to be uncertain, with conflicting opinions from different team principals in F1. Ultimately, the decision on whether to proceed with the 2026 engine rules or make alterations will depend on a consensus among all stakeholders.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff (Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images)
Despite the uncertainty, the FIA aims to respect the views of all participants in the decision-making process to ensure the best possible outcome for the sport and its fans.
Overall, the future of F1’s engine regulations remains a topic of discussion and debate, with various factors influencing the final decision. The sport’s commitment to sustainability, cost control, and fan engagement will play a crucial role in shaping the direction of F1 in the coming years.
(Top photo: Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images)