Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has stated that Formula 1 is in danger of sending the wrong message by bringing up discussions about a return to V10 engines.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated his intentions to bring back the popular V10 engine last week with the use of sustainable fuels.
In 2026, the regulation changes will see F1 cars use fully-synthetic fuel with the introduction of the new power unit.
There will be a 50/50 split between the V6 internal combustion engine and the MGU-K electric motor.
However, Wolff believes it is too soon to be discusssing the return of V10 engines with the new regulations set to take action next year.
“This is a five-year cycle, there are regulations in place,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“This is the journey of us having a discussion about what comes afterwards.
“Whether it is an eight-cylinder V8 that we like a lot, maybe more road-relevant than a V10 going forward.
“I think it is also exciting discussions to be had.
“What kind of hybrid system could be playing that role, is our sound going to go up?
“All of this is really an interesting conversation within a life-cycle of regulations and that’s worth it.
“But at the moment, I think it is a bit premature, and we are at risk of diluting the messaging to the world.
“A year before we have even started these new exciting regulations, we talk about something that won’t stay.”
Wolff: Focus should be on 2026 regulations
Before stating his disapproval for the “premature” talk surrounding the return of V10 engines, the Austrian insisted that F1 should be more concerned with the arrival of the new set of regulations coming into force next season.
“First of all, we should be excited about these new regulations coming in next year,” Wolff explained.
“We should be talking them out.
“This is our sport, it is important to have the positivity about it that such an exciting motor comes into the car.
“We’re pushing the boundaries of battery technology, of sustainability.
“It’s the first year we are having fully-synthetic fuel.
“Nobody knows how well all of this is going to pan out but that is really exciting.
“The Formula 1 is trail-grade crazy.
“All of the stakeholders should be really cheering for this.
“Making sure that the sport is perceived in such a high-tech way as it needs to be and less driven by opportunities – that’s number one.”
Horner backs return of V10 engines
The Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner went against the thoughts of his rival team boss, advocating his approval for the idea proposed by Ben Sulayem.
Next season, the Milton Keynes-based squad will use its own Ford-supported Red Bull Powertrains engines for the new era of F1.
Speaking after the morning session of the opening day of the 2025 F1 pre-season testing, Horner laid out his interest in adopting V10 engines once again.
He said: “Personally, from a sporting perspective looking at what the future engine of Formula 1 should be beyond this next generation, I think particularly with the way that sustainable fuel is going, it does open up all kinds of opportunities.
“Inadvertently, we’ve ended up with a very, very expensive, very complex engine from 2026 onwards.
“I think the purist in me would love to go back to a V10 that was done responsibly, with sustainable fuel.
“If that was reintroduced; the sound of grand prix racing, it’s an interesting concept and one to certainly look for after this current set of regulations.”
READ MORE: FIA president urges F1 to consider reverting back to V10 engines
