Domenicali says next gen F1 engines will be louder

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Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali has suggested that the sound of Grand Prix racing will be music to the ears of the sport's fans when it introduces its next generation power units in 2026.

Sound has always been an integral part of Formula 1's allure.

The symphony of high-pitched engines that characterized F1's previous generation of atmospheric engines created a visceral experience for fans, evoking a sense of excitement and adrenaline.

The deafening sound served as a powerful symbol of the raw power and intensity of Formula 1 racing. It added a captivating dimension to the spectatorship, amplifying the thrill of witnessing cutting-edge machines in action.

Unfortunately, the advent of the turbo-hybrid engine in 2014 muffled the auditory experience and left enthusiasts with a lessened emotional connection.

The sport's next generation engine will remain a turbo-hybrid unit with increased electrification and powered by 100% sustainable fuels in phase with F1's net aero carbon objectives.

However, Domenciali says that F1's engine of the future will not operate on a reduced volume level.

"No, very clearly, no," he told the Australian radio station 3AW. "We need to have a different sound. It’s music for my ears.

"It’s true that we had the 12 cylinders, it was a different frequency, very loud. And then 10, eight, six – it’s not [going] again down.

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"It’s just the situation is different. Of course we need to be hybrid, we’re going to be hybrid for the future.

"But the intention is to make sure in the new regulation the engine [noise] itself will be higher because that’s part of our emotion.

"It is really what our fans want to hear and that’s the duty for us to commit to that."

When asked if Formula 1 could evolve at some point in the future into a 100 per cent electric and noiseless series, the Italian dismissed such a prospect.

"I don’t think so," he said. "Formula 1 is not electric.

"As you know, there is another one [series] that has taken that direction. Electrification is a choice of mobility that has to go in that direction.

"But the mobility world and the mobility landscape will follow different directions. We have taken the direction of using for the future sustainable fuels with hybrid engines.

"That’s where we believe we’re going to stay for many, many years."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.