V10 ENGINES WITH KERS FROM 2028 – THE CALL GROWS

The idea of dumping hybrid Power Units and replace them with good-old V10 engines seems to be growing quickly among the Formula 1 power forces.

The advent of sustainable fuels and the progress all Formula 1 fuel manufacturers have been making in their development in the last 18 months has emboldened the supporters of the idea, starting with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

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There is, however, a consensus that it’s way too late for the change to be made in time for next season and even imposing new Technical Regulations for 2027 and beyond is understood to be a stretch by all concerned. In fact, should the most radical decision be made, Red Bull, Racing Bulls, Aston Martin and Sauber would be unable to compete due to lack of engines, so the earliest the 2026 regulations can be dropped is from 2028.

Many believe that it’s healthier for the sport to wait until 2030 to revert back to normally aspirated engines – but even that idea is not without its problems.

First of all, Formula 1 has to consider that Audi only agreed to join Grand Prix racing after two-year long negotiations to define what technology would be used under the 2026 regulations, and the German manufacturer has already made it clear thar it has no interest in staying in the sport if the ‘future’ engines are dumped.

In a short statement, Audi explained that “the upcoming regulation changes, including the new hybrid Power Unit regulations set for the 2026 season and beyond, were a key factor in Audi’s decision to enter Formula 1. These power unit regulations reflect the same technological advancements that drive innovation in Audi’s road cars.”

But Audi might not be the only manufacturer dropping Formula 1 if the rules were to be changed at short notice. After all, Honda only decided to make a U-turn on its decision to leave the sport after the new regulations were announced, as the Japanese company believes they are in line with the future of the road car industry.

And Ford, Red Bull Powertrains partner, only showed interest in a return to Formula 1 for the same reasons.

Should these three manufacturers opt to leave the sport if the V10s come back, with Renault already on its way out, Formula 1 would be left with Mercedes and Ferrari as engine suplliers – and that’s a situation no one wants to have again.

That’s why the FIA single seater Director, Nicolas Tombazis explained in China that “above all, we have the obligation to be fair, and people have invested a lot of money,” then detailing that “if nine people are in favour and one person is against and that one person is being treated unfairly, we will always also try to protect the one person. We won’t just go on majorities and say ‘okay, let’s do it’. We’re trying to build consensus here and if that fails, then we will stay where we are.”

One of the ideas floated in the Shanghai paddock was that the future Formula 1 V10 engines would include the return of KERS to the sport, as a way to keep the sport relevant for the road industry and in a bid to keep Audi, Honda and Ford around, as that’s the kind of technology that could be relevant for the road car industry in the future if sustainable fuels continue to be developed at the amazing rate we’ve seen recently.

Image: Steve Etherington/LAT Photographic

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