A pivotal meeting scheduled for next week in Bahrain could put an end to the ongoing speculation surrounding a potential return of V10 engines to Formula 1.
While Red Bull and Ferrari have signalled openness to postponing the introduction of the innovative 2026 engine regulations to accommodate V10s powered by sustainable fuel, Mercedes, Honda, and Audi appear less enthusiastic about the proposal.
Koji Watanabe, head of Honda Racing Corporation, confirmed awareness of the discussions. "We are aware that the FIA is considering bringing back the V10 engines, and that a first meeting is being planned," he told De Telegraaf newspaper. "We do not have any further details yet."
Aston Martin's team boss Andy Cowell, whose outfit will partner with Honda for works engines from 2026, expressed reservations about revisiting the V10 concept. "We need to talk about the positive aspects of these rules," he said at Suzuka.
"Sustainable fuels, batteries that are more relevant than in other industries, efficiency, and the straight-line speed mode, which is a more efficient aerodynamic package. We should be talking about all of this. We have these rules for five years, and perhaps in a few months we can talk about what will happen in 2031."
The debate comes amid a sudden shift in the global economy, triggered in recent days by the introduction of Donald Trump's sweeping import tariff policies. Against this backdrop, a meeting of all engine manufacturers—presumably including Cadillac—has been organised to take place in Bahrain next week.
