Looking ahead
Less than a month ago, in a surprise social media post, Mohammed Ben Sulayem opened the door to a possible return of V10 engines in Formula 1 by 2030. The FIA president unexpectedly proposed the idea of abandoning the current power units—which will remain at the heart of the 2026 regulations—and reverting to older engines, albeit powered by sustainable fuel.
Such a prospect would be welcomed by a large segment of fans, but its feasibility remains uncertain, especially considering that all current and future F1 engine manufacturers—Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull-Ford, Audi, Honda, and General Motors—are fully committed to hybrid technology development. A sudden shift in direction might not sit well with them. One clear supporter of this return to the past would be Max Verstappen, who has never hidden his disapproval of certain recent changes in Formula 1, from the current engine regulations to Sprint races and off-track entertainment events.
Max Verstappen remains skeptical
The reigning world champion, who has frequently clashed with Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s policies, unsurprisingly expressed appreciation for the V10 idea but also urged caution regarding such spontaneous announcements from the FIA president. “I think it’s a very nice idea [the V10s],” Verstappen said in a recent interview with Viaplay, “but the question is whether it’s actually possible. I believe it’s better not to ‘shout’ about these things but instead resolve such matters behind the scenes. It’s better for everyone.”
Reading between the lines of Max Verstappen’s statement, it’s possible he views Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s announcement as a primarily political move—one made more for personal gain and public approval rather than a genuine attempt to reverse the hybrid era in Formula 1, which still appears to be the dominant reality for the foreseeable future.
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