Audi don't have "huge appetite" to swap new hybrid engines for V10s

Nico Hulkenberg, who will drive for Audi when the German brand enters Formula 1 next year, says they don’t support a mooted switch to V10 engines.

Formula 1 is due to change its power unit regulations next year, for the first time since 2014. The revised hybrid power unit regulations were agreed three years ago, since when Audi and other manufacturers including Honda, Ford and Cadillac have revealed plans to join the championship.

The in February FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem unexpectedly proposed a change to the engine regulations, saying: “We should consider a range of directions including the roaring sound of the V10 running on sustainable fuel.”

While there is no prospect the engine regulations might be changed as early as next year, discussions are due to be held this weekend about bringing forward the replacement of the next generation of power units.

However Hulkenberg does not believe Audi would support such a change, having entered F1 intending to compete under the new rules proposed for 2026.

“I think, obviously, these new upcoming power unit regulations was a big part of the decision of Audi to enter Formula 1,” he told the official F1 channel. “So I don’t think there’s a huge appetite from Audi’s side to change that. Also given it’s already that close to that time.

“So I don’t know, it’s a lot of noise obviously around there. I don’t know who kicked it up. It seems quite a bit like wishful thinking, but let’s see what happens there tomorrow.”

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

Fernando Alonso, whose Aston Martin team will use Honda power units next year, said last month he does not believe reintroducing V10 engines is the right direction for F1.

“It’s like saying we could run without the Halo and make the cars more dangerous and [create] more adrenaline for the fans,” said Alonso, the last F1 driver to win a world championship with a V10 engine. “It doesn’t make sense.”