FIA wary of Audi 'quitting' F1 in ongoing V10 debate

The FIA is wary of a potential return to V10 engines in F1 leading to Audi deciding to withdraw if the 2026 power units are scrapped.

Speculation has been growing over recent weeks that the 2026 units, featuring beefed-up electrical systems and the removal of the MGU-K, could be axed, with the current rules cycle extending until the end of the 2028 season.

A return to V10 engines, with the fully sustainable fuels set for introduction, is under discussion, with F1 last using such engines in 2005, before the move to V8s. 

The 2026 power unit rules were designed to attract new OEMs to F1, with Audi the first to pledge its support, entering grand prix racing for the first time from the start of next season, with Honda also enticed back as a works supplier. 

General Motors and Ford are also both involved in F1, with the latter a technical partner to Red Bull's in-house Red Bull Powertrains division. 

Speaking about the possibility of ditching the 2026 rules in favour of a V10 return, the FIA's single-seater technical director Nikolas Tombazis was wary of Audi potentially quitting.

"I don't want to pre-judge that, because we are still in discussions," Tombazis told media, including RacingNews365, when asked if F1 could return to a V10, a V8 or a turbo engine. 

"We are still in discussions with the PUMs [power unit manufacturers] over the next few weeks, and so therefore, I wouldn't like to prejudge it. We shouldn't jump to any early conclusion on it. 

"We are very proud to have brought Audi to the sport, and we fully respect that, and don't want them to reverse that decision.

"We are also very proud to have made Honda reconsider leaving the sport and come back, so anything we do is a complex balance between these factors. 

"The thing is, there isn't a single point that answers all the questions in the same way between being fair, protecting the sport, cutting costs, protecting the PU manufacturers, and protecting the investment of those. There is not a single place that is perfect for everything, so we are trying to find that sweet spot."

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F1 2026 electrification

The 2026 rules will see the electrical systems of the power units increase its output from 120kw to 350kw - a near 300% increase, with power taken away from the internal combustion engine. 

Energy captured under braking is also set to be doubled, up to 8.5MJ per lap, with drivers also armed with an override button for a power boost - similar to KERS of 2009-2013.

Audi announced its intention to enter F1 in 2022 at the Belgian Grand Prix, with talks underway for years prior, something Tombazis felt was key to the route F1 has taken with the increased electrical systems. 

"Things have changed, I think a significant factor is the perception, even amongst OEMs about the speed at which electrification will happen," he explained.

"This is a significant factor, we can't deny it, and back in 2020-2021 when these discussions were had, the trend was pretty clear, decisively in the direction of electrification.

"I'm not saying that's not happening, but certainly the views of the participants has changed, and even if Formula 1 is in very good health financially, it has become important to protect it against the world economy fluctuations. 

"We need to take these protective measures while the sun is shining and not when it starts raining, and the drive to cut costs is important. 

"But we would not dream of doing this unilaterally without trying to respect all the participants."