F1 Drivers Favor Loud Engines Return

With sustainable fuels, F1 is exploring a return to loud engines by 2030, combining ecological efficiency with the thrilling sound of V8 and V10 power.

F1 is considering its engine regulations beyond 2030.

If sustainable fuels prove effective, the possibility of returning to V8 or even V10 engines could be explored. This would allow F1 to combine ecology with powerful sound, as Domenicali of the FOM suggests.

The return of screaming engines in F1? Daniel Ricciardo, the RB F1 driver, would be immensely in favor. He misses it!

“When I first joined F1, the engine was much louder. You could hear it. And when it started, you felt a kind of thrill. Maybe it was because I was younger and inexperienced, and I was still a bit intimidated by the sport. But when the engine fired up, it was like ‘whoa.’ Yes, it was intimidating. It was scarier.”

“And I don’t know… if I were to join F1 now… I don’t know if it would be the same – because the sound is different. But I feel like the sound played a role in my arrival. It sounded like an animal ready to unleash. I remember that feeling very clearly. And it was scary. In the garage, when you’re waiting and the engine starts, you know things are about to get serious. It was a cool and scary feeling.”

Scary engines: that’s also what Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz is asking for.

“I Remember My First F1 Race in 2005”

“I was 10 years old. The first time I heard a Formula 1 engine, I was scared. And as Daniel said, I was intimidated by the sound. I was like… these things are crazy. That’s how I became a fan of this sport, and Fernando and Michael, at that time, became my idols. Since then, I’ve wanted to become a Formula 1 driver.”

“And that element is definitely gone now – it’s not the same anymore, no. I thought 2026 was a good opportunity to go a bit in that direction again. I don’t know if that’s still the case today. We’re talking about 2030 for this. Personally, I’d like it to be sooner, because with synthetic fuels and the progress made in that area, there’s a great opportunity to accelerate the return of that sound and that type of Formula 1, which I would be very happy about and would fully support.”

Lando Norris, who attended the historic Monaco Grand Prix, was also captivated. But to him, the V6 noise isn’t everything. The cars also need to be lighter and sharper in handling.

“I went to the historic Grand Prix, and the best thing about it for me is the sound. The sound needs to be improved, first and foremost.”

“But smaller, lighter cars, those kinds of things will immediately improve F1.”