Red Bull chief Christian Horner has called for reintroducing V10 engines in Formula One ahead of critical changes in the sport in 2026.
From next year onwards, new power unit regulations will confirm the engines of cars for the following five seasons.
The current V6 internal combustion engines currently place greater emphasis on electric power than those previously used.
However, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has outlined his support for the V10 engine to return while running on sustainable fuel.
F1 ceased using V10 engines after the 2005 season. New regulations meant a change to 2.4-litre V8 engines from the 2006 season onwards, with V6 models coming in for the 2014 campaign.
Horner, 51, has backed Ben Sulayem by implying that the noisier V10 engines would help bring some reality back to the sport.
The team principal also argued that a return would cut costs amid the more stringent budget caps that the FIA implemented in 2022.
“Personally, from a sporting perspective, looking at what the future engine in Formula 1 should be beyond this next generation, I think, particularly with the way that sustainable fuel is going in, it does open up all kinds of opportunities,” he said.
“And I think, inadvertently, we’ve ended up with a very, very expensive, very complex engine from 2026 onwards. I think the purist in me would love to go back to a V10 that was done responsibly with sustainable fuel, that reintroduced the sound of Grand Prix racing.”
Horner also called for the authorities to seriously consider the reintroduction, adding: “It’s an interesting concept and one to certainly look for, for after this current set of regulations.”
While the Englishman stopped short of calling for the days when Grand Prix fans were required to wear earplugs at venues, his words are likely to stir further debate over the issue.
He may yet get his wish, with the FIA having stated they are seriously looking at the viability of using V10 engines again.
“We are engaged in discussions with a number of stakeholders to determine the future technical direction of F1 beyond the 2026 regulatory cycle,” they said.
“A V10 power train running on sustainable fuel would be part of those considerations, which would be tied to environmental and cost-containment measures. We need to consider the appropriate technical path for the sport.”
