The FIA is increasingly considering reintroducing V10 engines to Formula 1, instead of the 2026 hybrid engines. The plan to switch to the larger engine in 2028 is a response to growing concerns about the 2026 regulations. However, engine manufacturer Audi is not in favor of this potential new plan from the FIA.
The debate about a possible reintroduction of the V10 engine continues. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is reportedly in favor of reintroducing the larger engine in 2028, instead of the hybrid engines planned for 2026. The governing body has even reportedly met with several engine manufacturers to discuss the proposal.
Red Bull and Ferrari are reportedly in favor of the FIA’s plan, but newcomer Audi is not a fan. The German engine manufacturer has now even officially expressed their support for the 2026 hybrid engines. “The upcoming regulatory changes, including the new regulation for the hybrid engine from 2026 onwards, were a major reason for Audi to enter Formula 1,” the manufacturer explained to The Race.
Audi’s Resistance
The current plan is to maintain the hybrid engines for five years from 2026. As these engines are on the expensive side, the FIA wants to see if a regulatory change can be implemented as early as 2028. To achieve this, four out of the five engine manufacturers must agree. Therefore, it seems that Audi’s resistance to the V10 engine plan alone is not enough to shelve the plan.
“If nine people are in favor and one person is against, we will always try to protect that one person,” explains FIA executive Nikolas Tombazis. The executive seems to be reassuring Audi with this statement. “We will not simply go with majorities and say ‘Okay, let’s do it’. We are trying to reach a consensus here and if that fails, we will continue on the same course.”
