Christian Horner draws Cinderella comparison over F1 V10 debate

Christian Horner has waged his opinions on the 'Cinderella-like' timing of discussions on the return of V10 engines to F1.

Christian Horner draws Cinderella comparison over F1 V10 debate

Christian Horner (via IMAGO)

Formula 1 has continued to grow and evolve in a majority of aspects after the sport’s inception in 1950. Notably, the power units have continued to evolve in terms of fuel type and efficiency. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem had previously laid out his wishes to witness the naturally aspirated V10 engines come back to Formula 1. Now, Christian Horner issues a hilarious remark over the status quo as many people seem to be in favor of the proposed change.

Christian Horner had already urged Formula 1 to bring back the fan-favorite naturally aspirated V10 engines in the cars. The Briton believed that the regulations changes of the 2026 season were very expensive and complex. As such, bringing back the loud-roaring V10 engines would make the power unit development much easier for the teams.

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However, the regulations of the 2026 season are set in stone as multiple teams have already started working for the next season. Horner pointed out that there remained a lot of debate about the future of Formula 1, especially concerning the power units. The 51-year-old reckoned that there were some limitations to the regulation changes as far as the racing aspect of the sport was concerned.

There’s a lot of debate about the future. We’ve got a set of regulations for 2026, and I think there are some limitations to those regulations as far as the show and the racing are concerned.

Christian Horner told RacingNews365.com

Horner highlighted that in the current rules and regulations of Formula 1, there was a lot of banking on the performance of the chassis. The 51-year-old insisted that there were many shortcomings of the split in electrification and combustion. The chassis had to compensate for these imperfections in current-day hybrid engines. Finally, the Briton made a Cinderella reference noting that it was already ten past midnight and the Princess had left the building. This meant that the sport was now too deep in the regulations of the 2026 season as they couldn’t be changed at the last moment now.

We’ve ended up in a situation where the chassis is having to compensate a huge amount for perhaps some of the shortcomings of the split in electrification and combustion, but, it’s sort of ten past midnight and Cinderella’s left the building.

Christian Horner added

Christian Horner questions exact timeline to bring back V10s

Formula 1 has pushed for an increase in hybrid power units in order to make the sport more environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient. While this has proven to be successful, many fans of the sport wish to revert back to the loud-roaring V10 engines as they are more reminiscent of the pinnacle of motorsport. Christian Horner believes that even if the naturally aspirated engines come back, the perfect time to bring them back would be crucial.

Christian Horner and Mohammed Ben Sulayem (via Autosport)
Christian Horner and Mohammed Ben Sulayem (via Autosport)

Horner reckoned that the romantic in him wished to witness a return of the V10 engines to Formula 1. However, the 51-year-old insisted that they needed to do this responsibly by using fully sustainable fuels. Still, the Briton questioned the perfect timing to bring those engines back, as the 2026 regulations were already set in stone.

So, the romantic in you – a screaming V10 – so long as it’s done responsibly, with fully sustainable fuels, is hugely attractive, but I think the big question is: when would that be for, and what would be the game plan between where we sit today and then?

Christian Horner noted

Christian Horner finds potential return of V10 engines ‘very exciting’

Formula 1 continues to remain a highly lucrative sport as it continues to gain traction in terms of engagement and viewership. The recently increased involvement of the American masses has contributed greatly to this recent boost in statistics. As such, bringing back the V10 engines would only further increase the affection towards the pinnacle of motorsport.

Christian Horner (via Getty)
Christian Horner (via Getty)

Horner asserted that the fan in him wished to see the naturally aspirated V10 engines return to Formula 1. The 51-year-old labeled the potential return of the loud-roaring engine as ‘exciting’ as multiple people support the idea. Still, this would be a massive change to the sport which would need intense planning and research before finalizing.

I think, from the fan in me, the concept of a screaming V10 engine would be very exciting for the sport – at whatever point it’s chosen for the future.

Christian Horner iterated

The teams have already started working on their power units and cars for the 2026 season. Hence, if Formula 1 wants to facilitate a last-minute change in the regulations, it would take a massive toll on a lot of teams. As a result, the situation currently seems to be at an impasse as multiple individuals discuss the possibility of the return of V10 engines. Only time will tell about how this proposition plays out in the end as the teams now focus on the final year of the ground-effect era.