FIA considers F1 V10 return, would not rule out scrapping 2026 engines

The FIA has confirmed it’s severely evaluating a spread of future engine situations in Components 1, together with a possible return to V10 energy items operating on absolutely sustainable fuels. In accordance with FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis, discussions stay at an early stage, however no choices are off the desk – together with shortening the 2026 energy unit guidelines cycle.

Throughout a media roundtable attended by Motorsport.com in China, Tombazis outlined the 2 key questions at present going through the governing physique: what path the game ought to take long-term concerning engine laws, and what the implications can be for the upcoming 2026 cycle if that path had been to vary.

“I believe the precise means round to go about it’s: do we wish three or 4 years later to go to a special kind of energy unit? That is query primary. That appears after the long run for the game,” Tombazis mentioned.

“If the reply to that’s sure, then there’s query quantity two – what we do within the intervening interval. That’s positively a secondary query in comparison with the first one.”

Tombazis pressured that the FIA isn’t panicking over the 2026 laws, which have already been permitted and are being labored on by producers together with Audi. Nonetheless, latest feedback by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem a few attainable V10 return have reignited hypothesis over the long-term engine path.

“Actually the progress with sustainable fuels has led to views that perhaps the engines may very well be less complicated. The world financial system does result in views that perhaps we should always attempt to lower prices a bit extra, and the present energy items are means too costly. That could be a truth,” Tombazis mentioned.

“That’s why the president made the feedback a few V10 engine in ’28 and so forth. And that’s one thing we’re evaluating with the PU producers.”

Though the 2026 energy unit laws stay in place for now, Tombazis made clear that the FIA is engaged in energetic discussions with producers and stakeholders in regards to the long-term trajectory.

“There’s no proposal on the desk in that respect. There’s dialogue,” he added. “Both means – whether or not we stick with the present laws or go together with the already permitted new laws – I believe Components 1 can be in a great place.”

These feedback are notable, significantly given how far alongside a number of producers already are in growing their 2026 engines. Some groups have beforehand indicated that “the prepare has left the station” for any main adjustments.

“In fact, the prepare has left the station to a big extent,” Tombazis admitted. “My level is that the FIA president posed query primary. Query quantity two is then posed by lots of people, relying on the place they stand within the dialogue.”

“We are going to search to be truthful in a means that doesn’t disrespect any participant. And clearly, as persons are investing cash and so forth, that may be a crucial issue within the last resolution.”

Tombazis additionally addressed considerations {that a} important change of path may alienate incoming or returning producers like Audi and Honda. He emphasised that the FIA stays dedicated to discovering a balanced end result that protects each the game’s future and present investments.

“We’re very proud to have introduced Audi to the game, and we absolutely respect that. And we don’t need them to reverse that call,” he mentioned. “We’re additionally very proud to have made Honda rethink that, as a result of they had been leaving the game after which determined to remain again.

Picture by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Pictures

“Something we do is a posh steadiness between these components. You are asking the precise questions. All of the questions you are asking are fully logical and legitimate. The factor is, there is not a single level that solutions all of the questions in precisely the identical means – between being truthful, defending the game, chopping prices, defending the PU producers, defending their funding. What we’re making an attempt to do is use that candy spot.”

Any main change would require a wider approval from each the facility unit producers and the groups. Tombazis reiterated that the FIA can not impose a unilateral resolution and would solely proceed with consensus.

“Any adjustments we do, relying on what kind of laws, and so on., must have broad consensus. There is a governance course of. We do not unilaterally change issues and impose a place,” he mentioned.

That course of contains two distinct phases: approval from energy unit producers beneath the PU governance construction, and separate approval from groups if the chassis guidelines would even be impacted.

“If there have been ever any chassis adjustments, these must even be permitted by way of the governance course of which is a mixture of agreements with the groups just like the Concorde Settlement and the Worldwide Sporting Code.”

Requested whether or not unanimity can be required for main adjustments, Tombazis “wouldn’t like to enter that element.”

For now, the discussions stay ongoing, with all sides conscious of the fragile steadiness between innovation, value management, and safeguarding present commitments. The way forward for F1’s engine philosophy – be it hybrid, V10, or in any other case – stays open for debate.