Lewis Hamilton has expressed strong support for the potential return of V10 engines in Formula 1, citing his hopes for the future of the sport. As Formula 1 moves toward a new era with the introduction of hybrid engines in 2014, Hamilton remains excited about the prospect of V10 or even V12 engines powering F1 cars in the future, but with a sustainable, zero-carbon footprint.
Hamilton’s comments were made during an event in Milan hosted by Ferrari, where he shared his vision for the sport’s long-term future. According to Hamilton, “I hope that in 20 years, we’ll have great races and we’ll have cars that sound good. I certainly hope it’s not completely electric, but sustainable with V10 or V12 engines, with a zero-carbon footprint or something like that.”
The potential return of V10 engines in F1 has gained momentum recently, particularly after FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem expressed his own desire to see the engines return to the sport. This led to the FIA establishing a working group to investigate the feasibility of bringing V10 engines back to Formula 1. It’s been nearly two decades since the V10 engines were last used in F1, with the V6 hybrid engines introduced at the start of the 2014 season.
Despite the growing support for the return of V10s, not everyone in the F1 paddock shares the same enthusiasm. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has expressed concerns that discussions about future engine regulations may be premature, especially before the new hybrid regulations for 2026 have even been implemented. According to Wolff, the focus should remain on the upcoming regulations, which are set to introduce smaller, lighter cars with a 50/50 balance of electrical and internal combustion power, running on fully sustainable biofuels.
“We should be excited about these new regulations coming in next year,” Wolff said. “We should be talking them up. This is our sport. It’s important to have the positivity about it that such an exciting motor comes into the car.” He further emphasized that Formula 1 is pushing the boundaries of sustainability, particularly through the introduction of 100% sustainable fuel in 2026.
Wolff also noted that Formula 1 is leading the charge in terms of battery technology and sustainability, which he believes should be the focus of conversations moving forward. “Nobody knows how, where all of this is going to pan out,” Wolff explained, “and that is really exciting that Formula 1 is trailblazing.”
While Wolff acknowledges the possibility of future discussions about V10s or V12s, he believes it is premature to begin those conversations before the new hybrid regulations have even been given a chance to prove themselves. The introduction of fully sustainable biofuels and hybrid systems in 2026 represents an exciting new chapter in F1, one that Wolff feels should not be overshadowed by talk of future engine configurations.
However, Wolff’s stance hasn’t stopped others in the F1 community from voicing their support for a return to V10 engines. Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing’s team principal, has also expressed his desire to see the V10s make a comeback, as has FIA President Ben Sulayem. Despite the differing opinions, there is a general consensus that F1 should continue to explore innovative ways to balance sustainability with thrilling racing, and the engine sound is a significant part of that excitement.
At the heart of this debate is the future direction of Formula 1’s technological evolution. As the sport moves towards greater sustainability with hybrid and biofuel technologies, there remains a desire among some fans and team members for the high-revving, distinct sound that V10 engines brought to the sport. This sound is often regarded as one of the defining characteristics of F1’s golden age.
For now, the focus will remain on the changes coming in 2026, with all eyes on the new engine regulations and the future of sustainable racing. The sport will continue to evolve, but whether V10 engines will ever return to the grid is still a matter of debate. As Hamilton and others look to the future, they hope to find a way to balance sustainability with the power and sound that made F1 such an iconic sport.
In the meantime, the push for innovation and progress in F1 continues, with all stakeholders focused on the exciting new hybrid era that awaits the sport in just a few years. While V10s may be a distant dream for some, the future of F1 is set to be defined by cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and thrilling racing.
