Possible return to V10 engines: Is Lewis Hamilton in favor?. Lewis Hamilton shared his thoughts on the possibility of bringing V10 engines back in F1.

The technical side of F1 has undergone major changes in recent years, one of which was the abandonment of V10 engines, a topic that is now being revisited.

Lewis Hamilton shared his thoughts on the possibility of bringing V10 engines back to F1 after nearly twenty years of disuse. The British driver has never raced with a ten-cylinder engine but has competed in several seasons with V8s and achieved most of his success with Mercedes’ V6s.

One of the key differences brought by the reduction in engine cylinders is the sound of the cars. Compared to the engines used thirty years ago, modern power units are significantly quieter, a characteristic that most fans dislike.

Speaking about the potential return of V10s, Hamilton commented: “It’s no secret, the V6 never sounded good.” He went on to describe the emotions he felt the first time he heard an F1 car in action. “It was 1996 at Spa, and Michael Schumacher went through the first corner—my whole chest vibrated.”

He continued, recalling the sensation of hearing Michael Schumacher’s car, powered by a V10 engine. “I was immediately blown away. It was the most overwhelming thing I had ever experienced and heard. Unfortunately, over the years, all of that has been lost.”

Is a return to V10s realistic?

F1 is committed to environmental sustainability. Many decisions, including technical ones, are made to minimize the sport’s ecological impact. Because of this, Lewis Hamilton has expressed support for a return to V10 engines, provided it does not conflict with sustainability goals.

He also highlighted the environmental concerns surrounding hybrid V6 engines. “Current power units cost an incredible amount. They are also bigger and heavier, and considering the batteries we have used over the years, one might even question whether they are truly sustainable.”