Formula One considering louder future with V10s and sustainable fuel

LONDON – Formula One could be racing towards a far noisier future after the sport’s governing body triggered talk of a return to roaring V10 engines, this time powered by fully sustainable fuel.

Grand prix cars have been powered by 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid engines since 2014, with new rules from 2026 to 2030.

The current engines, while marvels of engineering, are hugely expensive and far quieter than the ear-splitting naturally aspirated and high-revving V10s.

The V10s had wowed the fans until their final appearance on the starting grid in 2006.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the governing FIA, raised the possibility in a post on Instagram reflecting on Formula One’s spectacular – and very loud – 10-team launch in London on Feb 18.

The crowd of more than 15,000 booed mention of the FIA during the proceedings.

“This week’s F1 launch in London has triggered a lot of positive discussion on the future of the sport,” said the Emirati in the post on Feb 20.

“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 motor sport trends.

“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 (research and development) expenditure.”

An FIA spokesman confirmed discussions were ongoing with stakeholders over the sport’s technical direction from 2030, and a working group was likely to be set up to explore all possibilities.

“A V10 power train running on sustainable fuel would be part of those considerations which would be tied to environmental and cost-containment measures,” he added.

“While we are fully focused on the introduction of the 2026 regulations, and the prospect of the competitive racing they will bring, we also need to keep an eye on the future.”

Some car manufacturers might be in favour of simpler and cheaper engines, even if V10s represent a technological step back.

Some brands, such as Renault-owned Alpine, are heading for an all-electric future but see Formula One as an important marketing platform and are keen to keep the entertainment values high.

“If sustainable fuel is doing the right job to be zero emission... maybe we don’t need any more to be so complicated or so expensive in terms of engine development,” F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in 2024.

“So we may think to go back to engines that are much lighter and maybe with a good sound.”

Meanwhile, Guenther Steiner and the Haas Formula One team have reached a resolution to their very public legal dispute surrounding the non-renewal of the former’s contract.

Steiner, the former Haas Formula One team principal, withdrew all allegations and dismissed claims against the team with prejudice – therefore the case cannot be refiled. Both parties said the matter is settled and wished each other well.

Steiner, 59, served as a prominent figure with the Haas team from their inception in 2014 to 2023. His contract was not renewed at the end of 2023, however.

A staple of Netflix’s Drive to Survive docu-series, Steiner was replaced by Ayao Komatsu, the North Carolina-based team’s director of engineering.

Steiner took legal action in May 2024, contending that Haas’ popularity largely was due to his efforts. He also alleged that Haas continued to use his name and likeness.

Elsewhere, McLaren promoted Tony Kanaan to team principal of its IndyCar organisation on Feb 21.

Kanaan, 50, had been the team’s deputy boss since the end of the 2024 season after serving as a special adviser.

He won the IndyCar Series championship in 2004 and the Indianapolis 500 in 2013.

McLaren also named Kevin Thimjon as its president on Feb 21. REUTERS