Towards louder engines in 2026

The turbo hybrid V6 engines are strongly criticized. They don’t have a nice sound and are much less noticeable than the previous power units. The old V12, V10, and V8 used to mesmerize the crowd at the edge of the track.

But, since 2014 and the arrival of the new power units, the passion is no longer the same. That should soon change. In 2026, Formula 1 will enter a new era with new engines. This year, the cars will be powered by synthetic fuels.

Although improvements have been made in recent years to increase the volume level, the CEO of F1, Stefano Domenicali, believes that sound quality is one of his priorities.

Never 100% electric

We need to have a different sound. It’s a melody for the ears. It’s true that when we had the V12, it was a different, very loud frequency, he told the Australian radio station 3AW.

Next, we had the ten, eighteen and now six cylinders. But the situation is different, and of course, we have to be hybrid and we will always be hybrid in the future.

But our intention is to ensure that with the new regulation, the engine noise will be louder because it is part of the emotions. This is really what our fans want to hear and it is our duty to commit to it.

The Italian claims – for now – that Formula 1 will not take the direction of electric engines. The sport prefers to use the path of synthetic fuels.