F1 News: Screaming V10s with zero-pollution fuel being considered (2nd Update)

(GMM) The roar of screaming V10 engines could be returning to Formula 1.

Lauding increased safety as the biggest positive development in recent F1 history, Fernando Alonso at the weekend lamented some of the backwards steps the sport has taken since he debuted in 2001.

“We’ve got heavier cars, we’ve got cars that don’t have the characteristic sound any more, we’ve got slightly more predictable racing, we don’t have the refuelling, we don’t have those pitstops that used to be a bit of a challenge,” said the 43-year-old.

“When it rains the cars are too big, tires are too big, there’s no visibility at all. So let’s try to maintain safety but go back to lighter cars, to cars that sound good, that entertain the public.”

Curiously, in mid 2024, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali actually hinted that because of sustainable fuels, the sport might actually be able to consider moving away from the current ‘hybrid’ power units from 2030.

“It is a personal consideration of mine, not yet shared with the teams, even if we have spoken about it with the FIA, that if sustainable fuels work, we will need to carefully evaluate whether to continue with hybrid or whether better solutions will be available,” he said.

“All drivers would like to have lighter cars, and personally I would also like a slightly larger sound. From the research we are carrying out, it emerges that all markets, and all age groups, want a better sound as well as the energy and vibrations that only a certain type (of engine) is capable of transmitting when you are close to the track.”

F1 and the governing FIA are at odds on many issues at present, but it seems that Domenicali and Mohammed Ben Sulayem are united on the issue of V10s.

FIA president Ben Sulayem said “a lot of positive conversation” has been happening behind the scenes in recent days.

“While we look forward to the introduction of (new) chassis and power unit regulations in 2026, we must also lead the way in the technological trends of future motorsport,” he added.

“We should consider various options, including the roar of a V10 running on sustainable fuel. Whatever direction we choose, we must ensure that we help the teams and manufacturers to keep development costs under control.”

Formula One could be racing towards a far noisier future after the sport’s governing body triggered talk of a return to roaring V10 engines, this time powered by fully sustainable fuel starting in 2031.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the governing FIA, raised the possibility in a post on Instagram reflecting on Formula One’s spectacular – and very loud – 10-team launch in London last Tuesday.

“This week’s F1 launch in London has triggered a lot of positive discussion on the future of the sport,” said the Emirati in the post on Thursday night.

“While we look forward to the introduction of the 2026 regulations on chassis and power unit, we must also lead the way on future technological motorsport trends.

“We should consider a range of directions including the roaring sound of the V10 running on sustainable fuel. Whichever direction is chosen, we must support the teams and manufacturers in ensuring cost control on R&D expenditure.

“A V10 power train running on sustainable fuel would be part of those considerations which would be tied to environmental and cost-containment measures,” he added.

“While we are fully focused on the introduction of the 2026 regulations, and the prospect of the competitive racing they will bring, we also need to keep an eye on the future.”

“If sustainable fuel is doing the right job to be zero emission… maybe we don’t need anymore to be so complicated or so expensive in terms of engine development,” F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said last year.

“So we may think to go back to engines that are much lighter and maybe with a good sound.”

With all the issues that electric cars have, one has to question if that is really the future?

Electric Car Issues:

• Child labor used to mine the battery materials
• Limited range
• Wait times for a charge.
• Reported fights over public chargers due to wait times.  How long before someone is shot or stabbed?
• Initial High-Cost of electric cars
• Spontaneous combustion issues with EV batteries
• Electric grids that cannot handle the load, especially during summer when most of the driving is done
• High cost to recycle the batteries at end-of-life
• More…..

With zero-pollution fuels planned for F1 for 2026, why does F1 need a hybrid engine whatsoever?

The hybrid components (Battery, electric motor and electronics) have made the cars far too heavy and many in the F1 paddock have called for the cars to go on a diet.  The easiest way to do that is to ditch the hybrid systems altogether.

Isn’t the idea of electric cars to emit zero pollution?  What if there was another, far cheaper way?

There is.

If an internal combustion engine can be made to emit zero pollution, then give the fans what they really want – a screaming V10 naturally aspirated V10 F1 engine running on fuel that does not pollute.

Besides saving around 200 pounds in weight, the teams will save millions of dollars by abandoning hybrid technology altogether. And with the budget caps now in place in F1, that would be a welcomed change.

And tell Formula E, with their whiny sewing machine sounding cars, to go pound sand.

Mark C. reporting for AutoRacing1.com