While Formula 1 has temporarily paused the idea of bringing back V8 engines at the end of the current technical cycle, with plans to revisit it in the future, other areas of motorsport are starting to move in surprising ways. One particularly fascinating and still mysterious project has just been unveiled.
In recent months, Anthony Hamilton, father of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, hinted that he was working on a new initiative. The project was officially presented today with the goal of “expanding opportunities and accessibility” to the highest levels of motorsport.
The project, named HybridV10, already suggests its foundation: a championship built around hybrid V10 engines, with a parallel category called HybridV8. Development has been ongoing behind the scenes for several months.
A competition built on engines and drivers
This clearly indicates that the two categories will feature hybrid V8 and V10 engines. The slogan chosen for the series is “Real racing, real talent, authentic sound”. Bringing back power units that have been absent from Formula 1 for over a decade is the heart of the project, forming the technical and identity base for a series expected to debut in 2028 or, at the latest, 2029.
The series is completely independent, with no ties to Formula 1 or the FIA, and therefore will not have official recognition from the federation. The championship will be overseen by an autonomous body, the Hybrid World Commission, which will also handle technical supervision.
The project will feature a unique approach to managing race weekends, with a centralized hub or “campus” for operations to reduce costs. Aerodynamic development will be limited, a deliberate choice to keep costs manageable and put the focus back on the drivers. The goal is to counter today’s Formula 1, where excessive aero complexity hampers overtaking, and instead let the drivers shine.
12 races as festival-style events
The calendar will feature 12 races, each designed as a festival rather than a traditional race. Weekends will span three days: Fridays will allow fans and students to visit the teams and learn about the technical solutions on the cars. Saturdays will feature the HybridV8 cars, and Sundays will showcase the V10 prototypes. This format, similar to Formula E, condenses track action into single days for each category, making each event intense and immediate.
The championship will follow a global loop: Middle East to Asia, then Europe, Africa, the Americas, and finally Australia, before repeating. Details are still under wraps, but the aim is to race on Grade 1 circuits capable of hosting Formula 1 events.
No pay-for-seat drivers: a points-based license system
The championship plans to include 24 teams: 12 in HybridV8 and 12 in HybridV10, totaling 48 drivers. Access to the HybridV10 category will require meeting specific requirements and accumulating points on a license, similar to F1’s superlicense system. Seats cannot simply be bought; drivers must demonstrate that they meet the minimum standards.
“This is an early phase of the project, developed carefully and methodically. More details, including how people can get involved from the start, will be shared throughout January,” said Anthony Hamilton, outlining the path toward a series that remains shrouded in mystery.
The development roadmap spans several years. Between 2026 and 2027, the focus will be on growing a community of founding fans and engaging potential team owners and partners—a critical phase as early projects often fail within months. By 2027, the operational phase begins with validation of technical concepts, governance models, and initial driver tests. Finally, between 2028 and 2029, the series aims to launch the first HybridV10 festival events, marking the official debut of the new format on the international motorsport stage.
As Anthony Hamilton’s HybridV10 project begins to emerge from the shadows, it challenges the current trajectory of top-tier motorsport by prioritizing the raw, visceral experience of engine sound and driver skill over aerodynamic dominance. While the road to a 2028 debut is filled with significant hurdles—most notably the need to secure substantial private funding and manufacturer interest—the proposal taps into a deep-seated nostalgia among fans for the high-pitched roar of V10 engines. Whether this independent series can truly establish itself alongside the FIA’s sanctioned championships remains to be seen, but its vision of a “festival-style” global tour could offer a refreshing alternative for those who believe the modern era of racing has lost its soul.
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