FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes that Formula 1 should consider a return to simpler and lighter V10 engines with a much better sound and the use of sustainable fuels in the future, and Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is also thinking in this direction.
This season is the last with the current generation of 1.6-liter V6 engines with a hybrid system that develop a total of more than 1000 hp ahead of the introduction of a new generation that will have approximately equal power from gasoline and electric engines.
The new power unit formula has attracted new manufacturers such as Audi and Ford (collaboration with Red Bull) and has brought back Honda, but also General Motors, which will enter Formula 1 in 2026 with its Cadillac brand and initially use Ferrari engines before developing its own power unit, not before 2028.
But FIA president Ben Sulayem hinted after the presentation of the new season of Formula 1 in London that Formula 1 could return to its roots, with lighter and simpler engines that have a much better sound than the current ones.
“This week’s launch of F1 in London has sparked many positive discussions about the future of the sport,” the FIA president wrote on social media.
“While we look forward to introducing the chassis and powertrain rules for 2026, we also need to be at the forefront of future technology trends in motorsport.”
“A number of directions should be considered, including a roaring V10 running on sustainable fuel. Whichever direction we choose, we need to support teams and manufacturers in ensuring R&D costs are under control.”
Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali also suggested last summer that he would like to explore alternatives to current hybrid powertrains.
“If sustainable fuel works in the right way, with zero emissions and if we get the sustainability point right, maybe we don’t have to be so complicated or expensive in terms of engine development,” Domenicali told Autosport last August.
“So we can go back to engines that are much lighter and maybe with a good sound.”
Formula 1 last used V10 engines in all cars in 2005, and in 2006 the V10 engine was used only by the Toro Rosso team with intake and rev limits that brought it closer to the performance level of the newly introduced V8 units.
The last victory and the last championship title with a V10 engine was won by Fernando Alonso, who celebrated at the last race of the season in China and helped the team secure the constructors’ title from McLaren Mercedes after securing his first drivers’ title two races earlier in Brazil.
