Verstappen agrees with FIA president on V10s returning to F1 – but negotiations must be private

Max Verstappen has agreed with the FIA president that V10 engines ought to return to Components 1, however believes the negotiations should be held behind closed doorways.

In February, Mohammed Ben Sulayem acknowledged on social media that he would love to see F1 consider switching back to V10s and that the facility unit needs to be run on sustainable fuels.

The engine configuration has not been in F1 since 2005 and, though its return can be broadly widespread amongst followers, Verstappen disapproves of the president making his feedback in public.

“In fact I believe it is a very good concept,” the four-time world champion stated, when requested in regards to the concept by Motorsport.com. “However whether or not it is doable or not, that is clearly a very totally different story.

“I at all times assume it is higher to not simply shout so many issues. It is higher to attempt to remedy issues behind the scenes – that may be higher for everybody.”

Ben Sulayem made his feedback within the wake of F175, the season launch occasion the place every staff revealed its new-for-2025 livery in entrance of a reside viewers in London.

The FIA president acknowledged that it “triggered a variety of constructive discussions on the way forward for the game”, prompting him to ponder the return of V10s for the following set of engine rules past the one coming in 2026.

“Whereas we look ahead to the introduction of the 2026 rules on chassis and energy unit, we should additionally prepared the ground on future technological motorsport developments,” Ben Sulayem added.

“We should always take into account a spread of instructions together with the roaring sound of the V10 working on sustainable gas. Whichever path is chosen, we should help the groups and producers in making certain price management on R&D expenditure.”

The technical rules are being overhauled for the 2026 F1 season, with automobiles being powered by a V6 hybrid working on absolutely artificial gas, which is able to make its sequence debut.

This drew extra engine producers into the championship, as Audi is debuting as a works staff in 2026 whereas Cadillac is initially becoming a member of as a Ferrari buyer outfit with the intention of creating its personal energy unit for 2028.

Subsequent 12 months additionally marks a brand new period for Purple Bull, which is able to type a technical partnership with Ford and Christian Horner agreed with Ben Sulayem that F1 ought to take into account the potential for V10s returning.

Verstappen was additionally requested in regards to the FIA’s latest clampdown on swearing amid ideas that he might begin swearing in his native Limburgian dialect.

“I used to do this loads of occasions throughout karting anyway!” stated Verstappen. “However yeah, this stuff are simply very foolish. You do not even wish to cope with issues like that, however it’s what it’s.”