Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the president of the FIA, motorsport’s governing body, took to social media last week to propose exploring a variety of technologies for the future of Formula 1 and specifically mentioned the possibility of V-10 engines running on sustainable fuel.
“We should consider a range of directions, including the roaring sound of the V-10 running on sustainable fuel,” Ben Sulayem said. “Whichever direction is chosen, we must support the teams and manufacturers in ensuring cost control on R&D expenditure.”
His comments followed the F1 75 launch event in London on Feb. 18, a special gathering celebrating the sport’s 75th anniversary while also presenting the drivers and cars for the upcoming 2025 season. The event sparked discussions about F1’s long-term vision, Ben Sulayem said in his post.
Interestingly, his comments align with remarks from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, who has previously expressed interest in exploring alternative solutions to the current hybrid power units.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem
F1 is already set to introduce sustainable fuel starting in 2026, coinciding with a new era of turbocharged 1.6-liter V-6 hybrid power units. The new engines will be simplified with the removal of the MGU-H (which recovers exhaust energy), while the MGU-K (which recovers energy under braking) will remain, delivering up to 469 hp, compared to today’s 160 hp. Despite these changes, total power output will still exceed 1,000 hp, with improved fuel efficiency reducing race consumption from 220 pounds to 154 pounds.
While current F1 cars are among the fastest in history, some fans and stakeholders argue they lack the sound and visceral excitement of previous V-8, V-10, and V-12 engines. V-10 engines were permitted from 1989 to 2005, with most teams running 3.0-liter V-10s in the final decade.
Given the impending arrival of the new era, even if approved, a return of V-10 engines in F1 would likely be several years—if not a decade—away at the earliest.
