A key part of the thrill of live motorsports is the deafening roar of gasoline-powered engines. F1 could get a lot louder in the near future as series execs are considering reinstating naturally aspirated V10 engines, ditching the series’ current turbocharged hybrid V6 powerhouses.
According to a report from Reuters, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the F1 governing body, the FIA, is kicking around the idea of bringing back the V10. The current generation of F1 race cars relies on a turbocharged 1.6L hybrid engine, which were introduced in 2014. The last time any Formula One car featured a naturally aspirated V10 was back in 2006.
Sulayem tested the waters in a post on social media following the 10-team launch in London last weeks. The crowd of 15,000 fans were thrilled by said launch, although it’s worth noting that they booed at the mention of the FIA itself.
“While we look forward to the introduction of the 2026 regulations on chassis and power unit, we must also lead the way on future technological motorsport trends,” Sulayem said. “We should consider a range of directions including the roaring sound of the V10 running on sustainable fuel. Whichever direction is chosen, we must support the teams and manufacturers in ensuring cost control on R&D expenditure.”
A spokesperson for the FIA stated that discussions regarding F1’s technical direction beyond 2030 are underway. A working group is likely to be instigated to examine possibilities moving forward, but V10 and sustainable fuel will be at the forefront of development.
The current turbocharged V6 power units are rather pricey. Swapping to a simpler V10 would help cut costs for teams, which could prove invaluable to newcomers on the scene like Cadillac and Ford. As a reminder, Ford is rejoining the F1 grid in 2026, partnering with Red Bull Racing to create power units for the team’s two entries. The entire series will rely on brand new regulations starting in 2026, creating a welcome challenge for teams both new and old.
Comment
Terrific idea. Motorsports is as much aurral experience as it is a visual experience. Nothing quite sounded like the older non turbo V10’s and V12’s. The current turbo V6’s sound like a UPS truck.