Toto Wolff warns F1 over looking ‘silly’ with V10 proposal

Formula 1 is set for a major power units overhaul in 2026. The sport will introduce new V6 turbo hybrid units with more power coming from the electrical components. However, even before these powertrains hit the track, there have been rumors of the sport already planning ahead regarding a potential comeback on V10 engines. Now, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has raised concerns over such speculation.

Presently, the upcoming power units will span for five seasons, between 2026 and 2030. With the sport then planning for the next set of engines. However, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has suggested that F1 could switch to V10 engines as early as 2028. Though, a return to V10 engines is considered favorable by many including Lewis Hamilton, the timeline remains unclear.

Toto Wolff claimed that such a sudden change to V10s without completing the five-year timeline for the next power units will make the sport look silly. He pointed out that the upcoming regulations had lured German automaker Audi to the grid due to the focus on hybrid components and sustainable fuel. However, deciding to shorten the lifespan of the engines would too drastic.

Audi is not the only carmaker enticed by the regulations. Honda decided to make a return to the grid as an engine supplier with Aston Martin for the 2026 power units. Moreover, Red Bull has invested heavily into building in-house power units in collaboration with Ford for next year.

F1 looks ‘erratic’ over V10 proposal

Formula 1 power units are extremely expensive. Teams can invest up to hundreds of millions of dollars into new engine regulations, while expecting that this would take them up till a set period of around five years. However, a sudden switch to V10s would destabilize this balance.

Toto Wolff highlighted that the sport needed stability in this regard where teams can plan how to invest in a set of engines for a specific period of time. This would allow manufacturers to keep costs in check and ensure that their programs give them desired returns.

However, Wolff was not happy that the sport was already talking about its next set of power unit regulations even before the 2026 cars have made their debut. The Austrian billionaire insisted that this only made Formula 1 look erratic in the sporting world. As manufacturers would not be willing to make their bets if such sudden changes can be made.

Toto Wolff hints at Red Bull angle over V10 return

Red Bull Racing will be debuting its own power units in 2026. This is the biggest gamble Milton Keynes has taken since joining the grid in 2005. Previously there have been rumors that the project was not meeting expectations and that the Austrian team might start on the backfoot.

Now, Toto Wolff has hinted that a team that is making its own engines might be trying to influence the sport’s return to V10s. He did not name Red Bull. However, Wolff claimed that there are fears that a team’s project is not doing well and that’s the reason they are trying to be manipulative and propose the idea of a V10 return.

Red Bull has publicly denied claims of wanting to fast-track V10s because of its power unit struggles. Rather, the Austrian team has insisted on numerous occasions that things remain as per plan. However, it is likely that the V10 debate will only grow stronger in the coming weeks with teams divided over the issue. F1 and the FIA must find the best way for the sport’s future without losing trust of manufacturers.

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