Ross Brawn sees no way for Formula 1 to reintroduce V10 engines despite the move to 100% sustainable fuels in 2026.
At this year’s British Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel completed a demo in Nigel Mansell’s 1992 Williams, which he owns and has been adapted to run on carbon-neutral fuel.
Afterwards, the four-time world champion, who famously muttered: “Bring back the V12s” after retiring from the 2019 Russian GP, pondered if the development of such fuels could offer a route to bring back F1’s classic soundtrack.
“I love the cars, I love to have the sensation for the V10,” he said. “For the history going forwards, I don’t know that’s a separate discussion to have, what is the better way?
Just Seb hitting the track in Nigel Mansell’s 1992 Williams ?#BritishGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/Dutp13tcBW
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 3, 2022
“What is the cheaper way as well? Because these [turbo hybrid] engines cost a fortune, their development costs a fortune up to this point.”
However, now-former F1 motorsport chief Brawn quickly dismissed the idea.
“I understand what he is saying,” he said via Motorsport.com.
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“I think we are keen that a number of manufacturers supported the philosophy of a very efficient hybrid because there are other factors here: there is fuel consumption, the type of fuel we are running, the efficiency of the engines.
“Efficiency is still a big factor. So even if you are running fully sustainable fuels, you still want efficiency. So we’re sticking with a hybrid solution.
“It is appealing to the manufacturers and they are putting their backing behind it and funding the research.
“I don’t think there is one manufacturer at the moment who would put money into a V10. That’s a different formula actually. It’s F2, not F1.”
With F1 having used the current, quieter power units since 2014, Brawn argues it is only the nostalgists who hark for a return of screaming engines.
“There is a new demographic out there who think they are a bit of an oddity,” he added.
“People like different things, and there are a huge number of fans out there who probably quite like the idea they can have a chat in the grandstands while the cars go around. It is not so important to them.
“We came from an era where we liked to hear a V12 scream, but it was painful. You forget how loud they really were.”