Horner admits that a 'screaming' V10 engine could be 'really attractive' for Formula 1

15:37, 11 Apr

byToby Nixon

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has commented on the 'attractive' possibility of V10 engines returning to Formula 1.

V10 rumours have been swirling through the paddock recently. According to GPblog's understanding, however, an early shift to these engines will not be happening, with the upcoming regulations set to run until 2030, at least.

After a meeting on Friday with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Horner was asked by Sky Sports post-FP1 about his opinion on a shift back to internal combustion.

In 2026, new engine regulations will come along with a 50/50 split between internal combustion power and electric power. Red Bull has been collaborating with Ford to create their own powertrain as the partnership with Honda comes to a conclusion at the end of this season.

Horner comments on 'productive' F1 engine meeting with the FIA

"First of all it was a meeting called by the FIA, it was a very cordial, productive meeting," Horner began. "I think the FIA president asking for feedback about what the next generation of engine should look like. It's now down to the manufacturers, the PU manufacturers, to feedback to the FIA. They're gaining all their information and then it'll progress from there."

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Horner was asked once again about the future regulations, including the imminent '26 changes. "We're building an infrastructure based on the current set of regulations. And so whatever the future regulations are, it needs to be taken into account for the resources that the teams have. And, we've structured our business around this current set of regs. And we're excited about '26."

Despite the focus on those regulations, the Brit admitted that he'd be a fan of an internal combustion return as an F1 fan at the core. "I think the romanticist in me, a screaming V10 could be really attractive for Formula 1 but it's got to be done responsibly and with electrification as well. What does that engine look like? Is it a V10? Is it a V8? That was really the discussion this morning, around what the future potentially looks like. It's now down to the different manufacturers and power unit manufacturers to feedback to the FIA and then digest that," the Red Bull team boss concluded.