Horner supports return to V10 engines with sustainable fuel

Red Bull Formula 1 team principal Christian Horner has vocalized his support for a potential return to V10 engines, even as his team invests substantially in developing a new power unit for the forthcoming 2026 era. The powerful, naturally aspirated V10 engines were last seen on the starting grid in 2006, and are currently being considered for a comeback with sustainable fuel.

The FIA recently announced that discussions are underway with stakeholders to determine the sport's technical direction beyond 2030, and a working group is expected to explore all potential avenues.

"Personally, from a sporting perspective, looking at what the future engine of Formula 1 should be beyond this next generation, particularly with the way that sustainable fuel is going, it does open up all kinds of opportunities," Horner stated.

"Inadvertently, we've ended up with a very, very expensive, very complex engine from '26 onwards," he continued. "The purist in me would love to go back to a V10 that was done responsibly with sustainable fuel that reintroduced the sounds of grand prix racing. It's an interesting concept and one to certainly look for after this current set of regulations."

Red Bull, which will forge a partnership with Ford from 2026 following their split with Honda, has already built a powertrains plant adjacent to their headquarters in Milton Keynes.

Former Mercedes engine chief Andy Cowell, now leading Aston Martin, acknowledged the ongoing debate but emphasized the focus should remain on the next generation of power units.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff echoed this sentiment, urging that the sport should emphasize the advancements in the immediate future. "We are pushing the boundaries of battery technology, and for sustainability, it's the first year we're having 100% sustainable fuel," Wolff expressed. "Nobody knows where all of this is going to pan out.

"F1 is trailblazing. All of the stakeholders should be really cheering for this and make sure the sport is perceived in such a high-tech way as it needs to be... At the moment I think it [V10 talk] is a bit premature and we are at risk of diluting the message to the world the year before getting started with these new exciting regulations if we talk about something that comes later."

This ongoing discourse highlights the evolving landscape of Formula 1, balancing the nostalgia of the sport's auditory past with the technological advancements that could propel it into a sustainable future.

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