Horner first supporter of a return of V10 engines in F1, Wolff more cautious

The 2026 regulation promises to be a real revolution in Formula 1. It's quite simple: next year, everything changes! From the chassis to the aerodynamics to the tires, a new era will open with, in particular, new power units. If the overall concept will not change, since we will find 6L V1,6 turbo hybrid engines as has been the case since 2014, the share of electrification will increase significantly, to the point of having a near balance between thermal and electric power in 2026 (350 kW in 2026 compared to 120 kW currently, i.e. an increase of almost 300% in electric power).

Horner misses V10 engines

However, if we are not yet in 2026, some are already thinking about the future. Indeed, the cycle that will start next year should last four seasons, until 2029. From 2030, we could therefore have new changes concerning the engine of Formula 1. And there is no shortage of ideas. At the end of February, Mohammed Ben Sulayem raised the possibility of a return to V10 engines – disappeared at the end of 2005 – for 2030 and beyond.

“As we look forward to the introduction of the 2026 chassis and power unit regulations, we must also lead the way when it comes to future motorsport technology trends. We should be considering a range of options, including the roar of a V10 running on sustainable fuel.”, wrote the FIA ​​president on his Instagram account. The governing body also stated that discussions were underway with stakeholders on the technical direction of the sport from 2030 and that a working group would probably be set up to explore all possibilities.

Of course, it didn't take much to spark fantasies about the return of V10 engines, so popular among fans. During the winter tests in Bahrain, the idea found one of its first supporters in the paddock: Christian Horner. The British manager says he is ready to return to V10 engines, despite the heavy expenses associated with developing the future engine for the 2026 regulations.

“Personally, from a sporting perspective, if you look at what the future Formula 1 engine should be beyond the next generation, especially with the evolution of sustainable fuels, it opens up all sorts of opportunities., said Red Bull Team Principal in Sakhir. Inadvertently, we have ended up with a very, very expensive and very complex engine from 2026. The purist in me would like to go back to a 'responsible' V10 engine, with sustainable fuel, that can bring back the iconic F1 sounds in Grand Prix racing. It's an interesting concept and certainly one to consider after the current regulations."

Wolff does not want to rush

While the idea already seems to be unanimous in the paddock, whether among drivers or team directors, it still has a long way to go before it is implemented. Toto wolff In particular, he gave a more nuanced speech on the potential return of V10s to F1: while the Austrian leader believes that it is necessary to begin discussions as soon as possible, he nevertheless believes that it is still too early to speak publicly about the direction to follow for 2030, especially on the eve of new technical regulations.

"We're pushing the boundaries of battery technology and, in terms of sustainability, this is the first year we've had 100% sustainable fuel. Nobody knows what all this will lead to, underlines the Team Principal of Mercedes. F1 is a pioneer. All stakeholders should be celebrating that and making sure that the sport is seen as the high-tech sport that it should be… At the moment, I think [talk about the return of V10 engines] is a bit premature. We risk drowning out the message that we want to send to the world if we talk about something that will come much later, a year before the new regulations [2026].”

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