Hamilton hears the call: V10 engines could revive F1’s soul

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton hears the roar of a V10 engine as more than just noise – it’s a visceral memory that could shape the sport’s future as he aligns with Max Verstappen on its potential return.

The FIA and Formula 1 are currently evaluating the possibility of re-introducing naturally aspirated V10 engines – powered by sustainable fuels – at the end of the sport’s next-generation power unit cycle in 2030, or possibly as early as 2028 by shortening the incoming engine regulations.

While relevant parties debate the merits of a return to these high-pitched power plants, new entrant Audi, set to join the grid in 2026, staunchly defends the hybrid path, citing its critical role in the brand’s commitment to F1.

For Audi, F1’s current engine technology isn’t just racing spec – it’s a bridge to its road-going future. In addition to the German manufacturer, Honda also makes its works return next season with Aston Martin, whilst General Motors is preparing a unit for 2028 with Cadillac, which will rely on Ferrari power until then.

‘Better Than What We Have Now’

As far as the sport’s top drivers are concerned – three of whom, Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Nico Hulkenberg, have experienced the thrills of the V10 – Verstappen would love to see a return to the howling, high-pitched engines.

"I'm not in charge of the rules," Verstappen said. "But of course, for pure emotion of the sport, V10 is definitely much better than what we have now.

"Cause, I remember as a kid, when you walk around, you hear the noise of the engines, just brings so much more, even if the speed of the car was maybe slower.

"Just the feeling you got from an engine like that is something that you can't describe, I think, compared to what we have now."

A Memory That Echoes

For Hamilton, the V10 isn’t just an engine – it’s a time machine.

“I mean, it is no secret that the V6 has never sounded great,” he told the media, quoted by RacingNews365. His words carry the weight of experience, stretching back to his first brush with F1 as a wide-eyed teenager.

“I remember the first time I came to a Formula 1 race in 1996 at Spa and I remember Michael [Schumacher] coming through Turn 1, and I was 12 or 13, and my rib-cage was just vibrating and I was hooked.”

That moment at Spa, with Schumacher’s Ferrari screaming through the Ardennes, wasn’t just a sound—it was a sensation.

“It was the most amazing that I’ve felt or heard before, and over the years, we’ve lost that,” Hamilton reflected.
"So if we're able to move back to those amazing sounding engines and we're still able to meet all the sustainable goals, then yeah, why not?"

However, Hamilton pointed out the contradictions in F1’s approach to cost-cutting and sustainability over the years.

"But it is an interesting shift when they went from the V10s to the V6s where they said it was to cut costs, and it has cost so much money to make these V6s work, and whether they are actually more sustainable with all the battery packs we've had to use through the years.

"Maybe we should focus on sustainable fuels which would be better moving forward."

The Battle Between Legacy and the Future

As the discussion over F1’s engine future intensifies, Hamilton’s and Verstappen’s comments highlight the delicate balance the sport must strike between preserving its rich history and ensuring a sustainable future.

With Audi, Honda, and General Motors all investing heavily in the hybrid era, any major shift could prove controversial.

For now, the roar of the V10s remains a dream, but with increasing pressure from drivers and fans, the idea of bringing them back – this time with sustainability in mind – certainly isn’t off the table.

Read also:

Wolff: F1 would ‘look silly’ if 2026 hybrid era is cut short

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