- Breaking:Fernando Alonso stands against F1…read more
Fernando Alonso, the only current Formula 1 driver who has competed with V10-powered cars, has voiced strong opposition to the potential return of these engines in the sport. Despite his personal fondness for the V10 era and the iconic sound of the cars, the two-time world champion believes moving back to a V10 engine would be a step backward for F1, a sport that should be focused on progress and innovation.
Alonso acknowledges the appeal of the V10 engines, reminiscing about their sound and performance, but stresses that the world has changed since that era. “We’re in a different world now,” he said, highlighting the advancements in technology that have led to more efficient engines, which use about a third of the fuel that the older engines did. The Spaniard emphasizes the importance of continuing to embrace the hybrid era, pointing out the positive environmental impact of the current engines. “We can’t just go against our time and our hybrid era,” Alonso added, noting that the current engines are far more efficient compared to the past.
His stance comes amid discussions about potentially bringing back V10 engines powered by sustainable fuel, a proposal suggested by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. This idea could become a reality as early as 2028, even though a significant shift to hybrid engines is already planned for 2026, requiring heavy investments from manufacturers. The notion of returning to the V10 era has sparked debate within the sport, particularly among teams that have heavily invested in the hybrid technology, such as Audi.
Audi, which has committed to the 2026 regulations following its acquisition of the Sauber team, is a firm supporter of the upcoming hybrid-focused changes. This stance has been in direct contrast to the push for the return of V10 engines. Alonso, who has a deep connection to F1’s history, believes that the sport should not regress. “We move on from certain things, and what we have now is a very good Formula 1 and a very good moment for the sport,” he concluded, stressing that it would be difficult to predict the outcome of such a drastic change.
FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis reinforced the idea that any significant change to the sport would need to be approached with fairness. He explained that if there were significant disagreements within the sport, such as one team opposing a major shift, the FIA would aim to protect the interests of all parties involved. “If nine people are in favor and one person is against, we will always also try to protect the one person,” Tombazis said, underscoring the importance of consensus before making any decisions.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, also expressed concerns about the proposal, particularly in light of Audi’s commitment to the hybrid regulations. He questioned the logic of investing in a hybrid system with sustainable fuels and then potentially abandoning it after only a few year
