F1 rules out return to V10, looks at fixes for new engine rules

Formula 1 will not return to V10 engines or any naturally aspirated powertrains in the near future, with the F1 Commission confirming its commitment to the power unit regulations that will come into force next season.

Those regulations were discussed and approved by the FIA back in 2022, while engine manufacturers have been working on them for many years beforehand.

However, the FIA has granted itself scope for “minor refinements”, which could be used to eliminate the risk of cars running out of battery deployment before the end of long straights, which has caused concerns for drivers, teams and fans alike.

The governing body is introducing a ‘turn down ramp rate’ system that will prevent cars from using the full electric power straight away when exiting a corner, making consumption more gradual. This will implement a progressive speed increase along straights and stop drivers from using all energy available too early.

Electric energy is set to make up 50% of a car’s total power – 350kW – but bringing this down to 200kW has been proposed too, which would allow cars to enjoy consistent electric output throughout the lap – either on power-sensitive tracks like Jeddah, Monza, Baku and Las Vegas only, or on all circuits.

This will be discussed by the F1 Commission in a meeting on Thursday, but some engine manufacturers are known to be sceptical as to whether removing 150kW of electric power in the race and skewing the balance to just 35% electric energy can be considered a minor refinement.

Not all power unit suppliers have the same stance on these issues, with some arguing that F1 had a similar system in its previous turbo era when cars had a lot more power in qualifying than in races.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner supported the proposal when speaking in the Jeddah paddock, indicating: “If they’re doing it in the interest of the sport, then you’ve got to support it.” Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, however, branded the idea “a joke”.

Audi and Honda do not seem inclined to accept any changes, while feelings are mixed at Ferrari, with team boss Frederic Vasseur admitting some aspects of the new regulations may have been underestimated and has called on team bosses not to reject change for the sake of their potential competitive advantage.