Horner opposes Wolff view over major F1 rule change

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has voiced his desire to see the return of V10 engines in F1.

The sport is entering a new set of engine regulations next season which retain the V6 hybrids that have been in use since 2014, albeit with a significant increase in electrical power and the removal of the MGU-H component.

The V10 engines, which were last used in 2005, are a fan favourite due to the piercing sound they produce.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently triggered talk of returning to V10 engines with sustainable fuels

As talk creeps in regarding the future engine formula, Horner feels F1's power units have become extremely expensive and too complex in their current design.

“Personally, from a sporting perspective, looking at what the future engine in F1 should be beyond this next generation, particularly with the way that sustainable fuel is going in, it does open up all kinds of opportunities,” Horner told media including RacingNews365.

“Inadvertently, we’ve ended up with a very, very expensive, very complex engine from 2026 onwards.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff downplayed the idea of returning to V10s and outlined it is “premature” to discuss the rules that should follow the new engines in 2026.

However, Horner has outlined his desire to open talks and move towards a return to the V10 engine.

“The purist in me would love to go back to a V10 that was done responsibly with sustainable fuel, that reintroduced the sound of grand prix racing,” he said.

“It’s an interesting concept and one to certainly look for, for after this current set of regulations.”