Before the start of the season, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem entertained the idea of F1 returning to V10 engines. The stakeholders of F1 have discussed the possibility of bringing the V10 engines back to life by 2028.
V10s last appeared in 2006, when Toro Rosso ran them among the V8-running teams. That year, Red Bull purchased the Minardi team and inherited their right to use V10s due to financial problems. The MF1 team boss questioned the legality of them running a V10 despite the team being bought by Red Bull.
Sebastian Vettel gave a test run in a Williams FW14B during the 2022 British Grand Prix, with sustainable carbon-neutral fuel, in line with the FIA’s vision to be carbon neutral by 2030. The possibility of V10’s return has gained traction in the last few weeks due to its compatibility with sustainable fuel.
This topic presented differing opinions from drivers and bosses alike.
Alonso: “Difficult” in investing in something that’s unknown
Fernando Alonso was the world champion when the V10 last made its appearance in F1. He did not hide his admiration for the V10 and V8 engines. However, the Spaniard is not on board with the idea, citing the technology has “evolved”.
“Iâm not sure. Itâs difficult to comment. Obviously, I love the V10 era and the V8 and the sound of those cars that we all miss. At the same time, weâre in a different world now.“
The two-time world champion said the current engine is more efficient than its predecessors. He continued by it will be the FIA, FOM, and the manufacturers to decide on a V10 return.
“Technology has evolved, and we now have incredibly efficient engines that use about one-third of the fuel we used to. Thatâs more a decision for the top management will take â FOM, the FIA, and the manufacturers. As drivers, we just want to race the fastest cars possible, regardless of the engine.
“Maybe the fans have something to say as well. But we also canât just go against our time and our hybrid era. We cannot forget how efficient the cars are now compared to the past. This is something very positive that we have.“
Alonso compared it to the introduction of Halo; while it reduces fans’ excitement, it makes the car even more dangerous.
“Itâs like saying we could run without the Halo and make the cars more dangerous and more adrenaline for the fans. It doesnât make sense.
“We move on from certain things, and what we have now is a very good Formula 1 and a very good moment for the sport, so difficult to invent something that we could go into the unknown. [It’s] difficult to know.“
Horner and Brown: V10 return would be “exciting” and “cool”
Team bosses Christian Horner, Zak Brown, and Oliver Oakes were asked about their opinion on the V10 engine return from the team principal’s perspective.
Horner was supportive of V10’s return if it was done responsibly.
“It’s sort of ten past midnight and Cinderella’s left the building. So, the romantic in youâa screaming V10âso long as it’s done responsibly, with fully sustainable fuels, is hugely attractive.
“But I think, from the fan in me, the concept of a screaming V10 engine would be very exciting for the sport, at whatever point itâs chosen for the future.“
Brown is receptive to V10 return. McLaren isn’t affected as they are supplied by Mercedes engines.
“I think a V10, definitelyâas Christian saidâwould be pretty cool with sustainable fuels. I don’t really see how you can unwind what’s in place, really, because of all the different power unit changes that are happening right now.
“But from our standpoint, we’re with [Mercedes-AMG] HPP, very happy. They’re ready to goâor will be ready to go. And so that wouldn’t impact us. But it is a bit of a head-scratcher of how you would put that in place if you did want to make a change.“
Alpine boss Oakes said it’s too late to consider V10 for 2026, but agreed this is something that F1 should look out for.
“It’s quite a romantic idea, but obviously the train has left the station now for 2026. I think it’s probably something beyond that that will be looked at because it does sound quite good for Formula 1 to go that way a little bit.“
Wolff: We should “cheer” and speak about the 2026 regs
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said the HPP is always open to supplying its customer teams any engines requested by the regulations.
“This is what we should be looking forward to, you know. How is that going to work with the cars? All of that is an exciting adventure. And having said that, this is where we should put our emphasis on.
“This is what we should cheer for and speak about, all the goodness that that’s gonna bring rather than looking too far forward. Having said that, we as Mercedes we’re always open, whether that’s in the future an eight-cylinder or ten-cylinder, naturally aspirated or turbo, or energy recovery in whatever size.“
The Austrian said the engine switch needs to be mindful of the audience and the younger F1 demographics.
“We’re all racers. We like the engines of the past. Then you need to strike the right balance between what is exciting to us dinosaurs, screaming loud engines, and then the fanbase and the audiences that are on the track.
“And that all of this needs to be set as questions, as what are the, in a way, what are the objectives for a future regulatory regulation change in a few years. Then let’s analyse that based on data and come to a conclusion that is for the best of our sport.“
Ultimately, Wolff said all parties want to give the best product for the fans.
“Let’s say, the [V10 return is the] single most important denominator between the FA, Formula One, and the teams. We want to have the greatest product for our fans.“
Vasseur would like a V10 and V12
Ferrari enjoyed a successful run during the V10 engine era, particularly with their dominant F2004 car that took Michael Schumacher’s last WDC title.
Team boss Fred Vasseur loved the idea of returning to V10 or V12 someday during the press conference for the Chinese Grand Prix. But the Frenchman said this is not the right time to talk about it.
“We are here to discuss about the race. The engine for 2030 and 2035, we will have time [for it], that will be perhaps in the press conference next week.
“Calm and relax, we will discuss about this. If I can say that I would love one day to have a V10 or V12 into the car. Don’t forget the one day, because today, I think everybody is able to forget part of the sentence.“
Hamilton: V10 is the “most amazing” that I felt and heard before
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton was nostalgic about the V10 experience as the engine was present when he watched his first F1 race at the 1996 Belgian Grand Prix.
“It’s no secret that a V6 has never sounded great. I remember the first time I came to a Formula 1 race in 1996 in Spa. I remember arriving and Michael coming through Turn 1. As I was 13 or something, 12, my ribcage just vibrated. I was so hooked. It was the most amazing thing that I [had] felt and heard before.”
Hamilton supported the idea of V10’s return to F1 since it aligns with the sustainable goals due to the breakthrough in sustainable fuels.
“If we’re able to move back to those amazing-sounding engines and sustainability, we’re still able to meet the sustainable goals. Why not? It’s been an interesting shift when they’ve gone from the V10 to the V6.
“They said it was cost cuts, and it costs so much money to make the V6 work. They’re much bigger, heavier. Whether or not they’re actually more sustainable with the battery packs and the batteries we have to use through the years.
“Maybe [we should] focus more on the sustainable fuels. Hopefully, it’ll be better from moving forward.”
Max Verstappen would maybe stick around for longer if V10s returned
“I’m not in charge of the rules, but of course, for pure emotion of the sport, V10 is definitely much better than what we have now.
“Because I remember as a kid when you walk around, you hear the noise of the engines, it just brings so much more, even if the speed of the car was maybe slower.
“Just the feeling you got from an engine like that is something that you can’t describe I think compared to what we have now.”
