In recent developments, Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali revealed that the sport will go back to using traditional and normal lightweight engines. F1 will go through another radical change in technical regulations from the 2026 season onwards. With that, the top bosses of F1 have decided to let go of the hybrid engines and return back to using power units from the past. This is exactly what Lewis Hamilton wished for five years ago.
The seven-time world champion, known for not supporting the idea of equal engines, has never been a fan of the turbo hybrid power units. He has always been firm on his stance of preferring the older, louder engines. Back in 2018, he took to his social media platform to express how much he misses the old V10 and V12 engines.
There, Hamilton talked about his wish of F1 letting go of the current V6 engines. F1 got rid of the V8s after 2013, V10s after the 2006s, and notably, V12s around the 1990s. This was done for a number of reasons, including concerns regarding the environment, and their plans of going carbon-neutral in the future. However, among drivers and fans, it wasn’t a particularly popular decision.
Domenicali supports the ultimate Lewis Hamilton dream
With drivers and fans calling for a return of noisy engines, Domenicali and the FIA are working on making it happen. Furthermore, this will also go in line with FIA’s eco-friendly agenda as the engines will have eco-fuel. Hence, there shouldn’t be any problem in giving the people what they want.
Talking about this, the F1 boss revealed in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com: “With e-fuel, we will be able to think of simpler and lighter single-seaters. Equipped with aspirated engines without a hybrid. And capable of returning that we were used to.”
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Interestingly, this goes in line with Red Bull boss Christian Horner’s recent discussion on the unprecedented U-turn by Honda. There, he opened up on his wish to have naturally aspirated engines back in the sport. Like Hamilton, Horner to wants to get rid of the current power units.
Horner aligned with Hamilton
In a rare turn of events, Christian Horner agreed with Lewis Hamilton about having the old-fashioned engines back in the sport. The 49-year-old emphasized that the return of Honda is a sign that combustion engines aren’t dead yet.
Talking about this, Horner, who wishes for a return of the V8 engine stated as per Reuters: “For me, it demonstrates that the combustion engine isn’t dead yet. That there’s still life in combustion. Because obviously when they withdrew it was because of electrification.”
Now with Honda joining forces with Aston Martin, and Ford and Audi set to make a return, it’ll be interesting to see where this revelation will be implemented in the end when F1 rolls out the 2026 engine regulations.
