V10 engines: a possibility not to be ruled out
Eleven years after the introduction of V6 engines, Formula 1 is preparing for the 2025 season with an eye on the following year, which will be marked by the introduction of new technical regulations. However, during this phase of change, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has not entirely ruled out the possibility of a return to V10 engines, provided they run on sustainable fuels.
Christian Horner pushes the idea forward
As expected, this has sparked divisions between supporters and opponents of the V10 project, once again highlighting differences between Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner and his Mercedes counterpart, Toto Wolff. Horner, who has previously expressed his desire to bring back the sound of the V10, did not hide his enthusiasm:
“Personally, from a sporting perspective, looking at what the future of Formula 1 engines should be beyond this next generation, I think that with the way sustainable fuels are emerging, a lot of opportunities are opening up,” he told the media. “I believe that, inadvertently, from 2026 onwards, we will end up with a very, very expensive and very complex engine, and the purist in me would like to see a responsible return to a V10 powered by sustainable fuel, bringing back the sound of Grand Prix racing. It’s an interesting concept to consider after the current regulations.”
Toto Wolff urges caution
Toto Wolff, however, takes a more cautious stance, believing this project could undermine the 2026 regulations:
“First of all, we should be excited about the new rules coming next year,” he explained. “This is our sport. It’s important to have a positive attitude toward the arrival of such an exciting engine. We are pushing the boundaries of battery technology in terms of sustainability. It will be the first year with 100% sustainable fuel. No one knows exactly how or where this will lead. It’s truly exciting that Formula 1 is at the forefront of this. So, all of us stakeholders should be supporting this and ensuring that the sport is perceived as highly technological, as it should be, rather than being driven by opportunistic thoughts.
Secondly, this is a five-year cycle. There are regulations in place while we embark on this journey into the future. We need to discuss what comes next—whether it’s a V8, which we like a lot and might be more relevant to road cars than a V10 in the future.”
Toto Wolff is therefore not entirely opposed to embracing a new project, but he believes evaluating it at this stage is premature:
“I think it’s an interesting discussion to have,” he concluded. “What kind of hybrid system could play a role? Will the sound increase? All of this is a really worthwhile conversation within a regulation cycle. But at the moment, I believe it’s a bit too early, and we risk diluting our message to the world if, just a year before introducing these new and exciting regulations, we start talking about what comes next.”
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