FIA to call special meeting on return of V10 engines
There's one subject that's been making a lot of noise in recent weeks: the reintroduction of V10 engines. While Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Stefano Domenicali are in favor of the project, the engine manufacturers are more on the negative side. The FIA President had already organized working groups on the subject. The possible future of V10 engines will be decided in Bahrain at the beginning of the week.
The idea of bringing back V10 engines excites many Formula 1 fans. Driven by the FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the organization is exploring the possibility of reintroducing iconic power units, powered by sustainable fuels.
The FIA Technical Director, Nikolas Tombazis, confirmed that discussions are underway to study the viability of the project. The goal would be to offer a more affordable and potentially more spectacular alternative to the current complex V6 hybrid engines.
However, the timing of this possible revolution remains uncertain. While Ben Sulayem would like a return of V10 engines as early as 2028 or 2029, shortly after the introduction of the new engine regulations scheduled for 2026, this option seems unlikely. Manufacturers, having already invested heavily in developing the next generation of power units, are reluctant to abandon these projects before they are even implemented. The date of 2031, marking the end of the next engine cycle, now appears as a more realistic prospect for this strong comeback.
The FIA has therefore scheduled a special meeting with all Formula 1 engine manufacturers in Bahrain, before the Grand Prix. Although the agenda has not been disclosed, it is clear that the aim is to gauge the manufacturers’ support for a potential return of the V10 engines.
Beyond the nostalgic aspect, switching to a V10 engine powered by sustainable fuel would offer the advantage of reduced production costs compared to V6 hybrid engines, which are more complex and expensive to manufacture and design.
The question remains whether this bold initiative by the FIA will manage to convince engine manufacturers and align with a sustainable vision for the future of Formula 1. The meeting in Bahrain promises to be rich in debates and decisive for the auditory future of motorsport.
The situation seems stalled for motorists
Important point for this return to come to fruition, the project must be supported by four out of the five engine manufacturers on the grid in 2026 (Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, Red Bull, and Audi). The latter has already taken a stance and does not support the project led by Ben Sulayem. They are opting for hybrid principles with a focus on electrification. Honda’s leaders, who have ultimately decided not to leave the top category, thanks in part to the 2026 project, have not yet expressed their views on the potential reintroduction of V10 combustion engines.
Nevertheless, the proposal to bring back the roaring engines that stir the nostalgia of enthusiasts is likely to be rejected by manufacturers next week.
