Lewis Hamilton has lent his weight to growing calls for Formula 1 to resurrect its iconic V10 engines, amplifying an already lively debate.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and Red Bull's Christian Horner have voiced enthusiasm for the idea, but Toto Wolff and Frederic Vasseur are urging a greater focus on the sport's doubling-down on its current hybrid technology in 2026.
"We risk drowning out the message that we want to send to the world if, a year before the new regulations, we talk about something that will come much later," Wolff cautioned recently.
Hamilton, however, sees merit in reverting from today's hefty, quieter 'power units' to the naturally-aspirated roar of yesteryear.
Speaking at Ferrari's Milan street event, the seven-time champion—who debuted with a 2.4-litre V8 McLaren in 2007—shared his vision. "I hope that in 20 years we'll have great races and we'll have cars that sound good," he said.
"I certainly hope it's not completely electric, but sustainable with V10 or V12 engines, with a zero carbon footprint or something like that."
