Ever since the turbo hybrid V6 era started in 2014, and the ear-splitting supernal symphony of Formula One was muted, fans have been shouting 'Bring back V10s!'. With the recent 2026 regulations discussions, this now seems to be more than a pipe dream.
This sudden change in direction for the sport comes as FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem suggested a return to the V10 engines of a bygone era as they could be made future-proof with new sustainable fuel technology, negating the need for hybrid engines and their dulled-down tone.
Ferrari 054 V10 Engine from the 2004 season. Image: Pex Cornel via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
The V10 was last used in Formula 1 in 2005; this excludes Toro Rosso, which used a modified V10 in their first season in 2006. A melodic 21,000 rpm would scream from the close-to-1000hp 3.0-litre V10s by the end of their era in 2004 and 2005. V10s had been on the grid since the first turbo era's end starting with the 1989 season, but not exclusively - V8s and V12s were also present, but eventually, the ten-cylinder motors prevailed as they combined the strengths of the V8s and V12s.
By 1998, all teams were running V10s, although they were not made mandatory until 2000. Initially, the Toyota works team had thought about entering F1 running a V12, but those plans had to be abandoned. Instead, the team debuted in 2002 using a V10 like everyone else.
To this day, the V10 era is looked upon fondly by motorsport fans and sim racers. Their piercing sound is still synonymous with F1, even almost two decades after they have been ruled out from competition (again, the Toro Rosso exception pushed aside). The V8s that followed them were not bad either, but generally, most F1 fans who want a noisy spectacle back in the sport are thinking for V10s.
Audi, entering the championship in 2026, has been openly against this 2028 ruleset change. They are joining the championship primarily because of the V6 Hybrid technology, which they can use to transfer into their road cars.
Audi F1 team concept drawing. Image: Formula One
It is clear why a new team would oppose the rule changes, but the other engine manufacturers are staying relatively silent on the proposal, at least for now.
The 2026 power unit regulations were designed to attract new manufacturers to the sport. Audi was the first to commit. The German marque plans to enter grand prix racing for the first time at the start of the next season. Honda also decided to return as a works supplier for Aston Martin after a new deal tempted them back.
Formula One 2026 car render. Image: Formula One
Alongside their European and Asian competitors, General Motors and Ford will be involved in Formula 1 from 2026. Ford serves as a technical partner to Red Bull's in-house Red Bull Powertrains division and plans to keep Verstappen and whoever his teammate might be at the top of the table in 2026.
Whilst not impossible, the pushback against developing an entirely new engine will likely pick up as the deadline approaches. V10s are possible, but we as fans have to hope that the manufacturers are up for the task come 2028.
We are curious, though: Now that the return of V10s does not seem entirely unreasonable anymore, would you actually want to see (and hear) them in F1 again - or is it just nostalgia taking over?
We want to know what you think about the FIA president's proposal. Would you welcome V10s back into the sport? Do you think turbo V6s are here to stay? Let us know in the comments below and the poll attached to this article!
This sudden change in direction for the sport comes as FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem suggested a return to the V10 engines of a bygone era as they could be made future-proof with new sustainable fuel technology, negating the need for hybrid engines and their dulled-down tone.
Ferrari 054 V10 Engine from the 2004 season. Image: Pex Cornel via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
The V10 was last used in Formula 1 in 2005; this excludes Toro Rosso, which used a modified V10 in their first season in 2006. A melodic 21,000 rpm would scream from the close-to-1000hp 3.0-litre V10s by the end of their era in 2004 and 2005. V10s had been on the grid since the first turbo era's end starting with the 1989 season, but not exclusively - V8s and V12s were also present, but eventually, the ten-cylinder motors prevailed as they combined the strengths of the V8s and V12s.
By 1998, all teams were running V10s, although they were not made mandatory until 2000. Initially, the Toyota works team had thought about entering F1 running a V12, but those plans had to be abandoned. Instead, the team debuted in 2002 using a V10 like everyone else.
To this day, the V10 era is looked upon fondly by motorsport fans and sim racers. Their piercing sound is still synonymous with F1, even almost two decades after they have been ruled out from competition (again, the Toro Rosso exception pushed aside). The V8s that followed them were not bad either, but generally, most F1 fans who want a noisy spectacle back in the sport are thinking for V10s.
Why is this being considered now?
The story and excuse behind dropping the loud engines have always been about the sport's carbon footprint and the natural impact that the sport would have. However, the technology behind sustainable fuels and oil has evolved dramatically, especially over the last few years. This leaves Formula One with two options: continue with the 2026 ruleset into 2028, or change them again in 2028 to a more traditional Formula One engine like the V10 or V8.Audi, entering the championship in 2026, has been openly against this 2028 ruleset change. They are joining the championship primarily because of the V6 Hybrid technology, which they can use to transfer into their road cars.
Audi F1 team concept drawing. Image: Formula One
It is clear why a new team would oppose the rule changes, but the other engine manufacturers are staying relatively silent on the proposal, at least for now.
Would V10s work in 2028?
The ruleset for 2026 is already locked in, and tens of millions of dollars have been poured into development, so it is safe to say that we will be waiting at least two seasons after the 2026 regulations come into play before the talk of V10s coming into F1 again raises its head.The 2026 power unit regulations were designed to attract new manufacturers to the sport. Audi was the first to commit. The German marque plans to enter grand prix racing for the first time at the start of the next season. Honda also decided to return as a works supplier for Aston Martin after a new deal tempted them back.
Formula One 2026 car render. Image: Formula One
Alongside their European and Asian competitors, General Motors and Ford will be involved in Formula 1 from 2026. Ford serves as a technical partner to Red Bull's in-house Red Bull Powertrains division and plans to keep Verstappen and whoever his teammate might be at the top of the table in 2026.
Whilst not impossible, the pushback against developing an entirely new engine will likely pick up as the deadline approaches. V10s are possible, but we as fans have to hope that the manufacturers are up for the task come 2028.
We are curious, though: Now that the return of V10s does not seem entirely unreasonable anymore, would you actually want to see (and hear) them in F1 again - or is it just nostalgia taking over?
We want to know what you think about the FIA president's proposal. Would you welcome V10s back into the sport? Do you think turbo V6s are here to stay? Let us know in the comments below and the poll attached to this article!
