F1's seriously evaluating return to V10 engines

[paulguitar]

Light at the end of the (dull as ditchwater turbo) tunnel?



https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-seriously-ev...
https://www.racefans.net/2025/02/20/fia-president-...

[lauda]

I really hope that it’s true, but I’d like to hear it from some slightly more credible sources than those websites.

[trevalvole]

There are very few production V10 engines these days. Wouldn't a V8 be better - the likes of Ford and Merc could say that your SUV has a V8 like the one they produce for Formula One, and V8s would go down well with their target consumers in North America etc?

[MitchT]

What capacity? Natrually aspirated? Rev limit? Just because it's a V10 doesn't automatically mean it'll sound great. BMW's inline six engines always sounded wonderful but the F80/F82 M3/M4 sound like a tractor compared with the cars with older power units.

[Nova Gyna]

It’s a textbook PR move, imo. Throw out something fans would love, knowing full well it’ll never happen, just to steer the conversation away from the FIA’s endless stream of incompetence.

Give it a few weeks, and this "idea" will be quietly forgotten - just like every other hollow promise made by the idiot in charge.

[Piginapoke]

I can't see it- the manufactures will have no interest in V10s, as good as it would be

[the-norseman]

Fingers crossed

[geeks]

Won’t improve the racing though so meh!

I want better racing. Think we are going to get it this year. Not sure the changes for 2026 will help

[thegreenhell]

lauda said:

I really hope that it’s true, but I’d like to hear it from some slightly more credible sources than those websites.

the-race.com is one of the most credible F1 news sites there is, with Gary Anderson and Mark Hughes among its regular writers. It's certainly not one of those clickbait sites.

Edited by thegreenhell on Saturday 22 February 19:18

[Jonny_]

Love the idea of going back to high revving V10 engines.

If we're entering an era where the hybrid gear contributes a greater percentage of the overall power output, then there's actually some sense in using a simpler, theoretically cheaper NA engine instead of the more complex turbocharged units.

Throw in sustainable fuels and there's an instant comparison between the new V10 cars and the much loved 90s V10s. Likely a similarly evocative sound, faster cars, and much more efficient. Presents a huge marketing and sponsorship opportunity for the companies producing those sustainable fuels.

Can't shake the feeling that this is purely a smokescreen, cynically thrown out by the FIA, though.

[lauda]

thegreenhell said:

lauda said:

I really hope that it’s true, but I’d like to hear it from some slightly more credible sources than those websites.

the-race.com is one of the most credible F1 news sites there is, with Gary Anderson and Mark Hughes among its regular writers. It's certainly not one of those clickbait sites.

Edited by thegreenhell on Saturday 22 February 19:18

Yeah, sorry, you’re absolutely right. I’d mistaken it for one of those crappy clickbait motorsport ‘news’ websites that Apple News continually feeds me since I told it I had an interest in F1.

[ettore]

trevalvole said:

There are very few production V10 engines these days. Wouldn't a V8 be better - the likes of Ford and Merc could say that your SUV has a V8 like the one they produce for Formula One, and V8s would go down well with their target consumers in North America etc?

F1 was never really about a link to production cars - there are other series for that. It currently misses a massive element of the spectacle - extravagant sound should be a major part of it!

[WPA]

Piginapoke said:

I can't see it- the manufactures will have no interest in V10s, as good as it would be

+1 Never going to happen

[thegreenhell]

This isn't about the manufacturers. Manufacturers aren't going to be interested in spending a billion dollars on v6 hybrids or whatever when they're being forced to make only EV road cars. The manufacturers and their money will eventually leave the sport. This is about getting F1 back to its roots and free of the manufacturers with something that is both affordable for independent engine builders and spectacular for paying viewers. The likes of Cosworth and Judd could easily make a new V10 F1 engine for a fraction of the current PU cost.

[MustangGT]

Nova Gyna said:

It’s a textbook PR move, imo. Throw out something fans would love, knowing full well it’ll never happen, just to steer the conversation away from the FIA’s endless stream of incompetence.

Give it a few weeks, and this "idea" will be quietly forgotten - just like every other hollow promise made by the idiot in charge.

This, could even be a classic 'deflection' move.

[Wh00sher]

Days after the FIA was booed at F1-75, this is purely to deflect from that, it's never going to actually happen

[eliot]

just throwing a bit of red meat out for the fans

[carl_w]

Nova Gyna said:

It’s a textbook PR move, imo. Throw out something fans would love, knowing full well it’ll never happen, just to steer the conversation away from the FIA’s endless stream of incompetence.

Give it a few weeks, and this "idea" will be quietly forgotten - just like every other hollow promise made by the idiot in charge.

Exactly

[HardtopManual]

Just trying to steal some thunder from the LMH Valkyrie.

The chance of F1 going back to V10s is zero.

[pits]

Wh00sher said:

Days after the FIA was booed at F1-75, this is purely to deflect from that, it's never going to actually happen

This, "we are globally hated, what shiny trinkets can we wave to make people like us, everyone likes V10's"