F1's V10 engine comeback delayed after FIA meeting in Bahrain

Dominika Jordan
Apr 11, 2025, 9:59 AM ET

F1's V10 engine return delayed after FIA Bahrain meeting, pushing potential return beyond 2028.

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

SAKHIR, Bahrain -- The eagerly anticipated return to V10 engines for Formula 1 has been postponed following a high-level FIA meeting in Bahrain. Despite ongoing discussions, the prospect of a swift transition was shelved.

Friday's meeting came on the heels of the FIA's declaration that it was evaluating a switch back to V10 engines as early as 2028 or 2029. This initiative was initially propelled by governing body president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Formula 1 has been operating with V6 turbo hybrids since 2014, but a new rules cycle introducing upgraded V6 engines is set to commence next year.

Concerns surrounding the new V6 cycle have been growing due to multiple factors, including cost, performance, and the overall quality of racing. The meeting saw participation from F1 boss Stefano Domenicali and representatives from both current and future F1 engine manufacturers. Several key figures joined the session virtually.

The FIA issued a statement emphasizing, "all parties are committed to the 2026 regulations and look forward to the prospect of exciting racing." Sources informed ESPN that there is growing support for the idea of returning to V10 engines, a sentiment echoed by several attendees of the meeting.

One of the notable concerns is the cost of the new V6 engines. Although the 2026 rule change aims to eliminate many of the expensive and complex aspects of the current V6s, manufacturers still find the costs prohibitive. Advocates for shifting to V10 engines argue that using sustainable fuel would be more cost-effective.

Prominent attendees included Mercedes chairman Ola Kaellenius, Audi CEO Gernot Doellner, and General Motors president Mark Reuss. Audi is set to join F1 in 2026 after completing its takeover of the Sauber team. Meanwhile, GM's Cadillac will be the 11th team on the grid next year, initially using Ferrari engines. GM has committed to building American-made engines for Cadillac by the end of the decade. Ford's global director of performance, Mark Rushbrook, was also present due to Ford's collaboration with Red Bull on a new engine program.

Red Bull Racing has voiced concerns about the rising costs associated with the new engine formula. The team has constructed an extensive engine facility at its UK headquarters. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner highlighted the intricacies involved in the transition:

"We are building an infrastructure on the current set of regulations, so whatever the future regulations are, it needs to take into account the future resource teams have. We have structured our business around the current set of regulations. The romanticist in me is a screaming V10 could be really attractive for F1 but it's got to be done responsibly. With electrification as well, is it a V10 or V8? That was really the discussion this morning, what the future potentially looks like."

While the dream of returning to V10 engines is gaining traction, it remains clear that any future direction will carefully consider cost, sustainability, and the sport's technical evolution. The discussions indicating a blend of tradition and modernity will continue to shape the future of Formula 1 racing.