Max Verstappen has made it clear: if Formula 1 brings back the iconic V10 engines, he might just stick around beyond his current contract.
The three-time world champion, who has often hinted at an early retirement from the sport, has now admitted that the return of the thunderous, high-revving power units could change his mind.
Recent reports suggest that the FIA is actively considering reintroducing V10 engines as early as 2028. According to Auto, Motor und Sport, this could even delay the upcoming engine regulations set for 2026, potentially extending the current hybrid era for another two years. If this happens, it would mark the biggest shift in F1’s powertrain philosophy since 2014, when the quieter, more complex V6 hybrid engines replaced the high-pitched V10s.
Many fans and drivers have been vocal about their disappointment with modern engine sound and performance. Verstappen is among them.
Read also: Ranking the Top 10 F1 Team Principals by Net Worth
“For the pure emotion of the sport, a V10 engine would be much better than what we have now,” Verstappen said in Shanghai on Thursday. “I remember walking around as a kid and hearing the sound of those engines. It added so much to it.”
With his Red Bull contract set to expire in 2028, Verstappen has long suggested he may walk away from F1 at that point. However, when asked if a return to V10s could influence his decision, he admitted: “Maybe yes. It would certainly be much more exciting than what we have now.”
Uncertainty in Shanghai
As F1 heads into the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, Verstappen remains unsure about Red Bull’s position in the competitive order. The reigning champion acknowledged that McLaren appeared to be in a league of their own in Melbourne, where Lando Norris took victory ahead of him.
“I don’t know if we are the second, third or fourth team,” Verstappen admitted. “Mercedes and Ferrari were very close in Melbourne, and McLaren was incredibly strong. I mean, I’m not a bungler in the rain, but in the first stint I barely had a chance to fight.”
Read also: The 10 Drivers with the Most Points in Formula 1 History - Ranked
Despite his struggles in Australia, Verstappen praised McLaren’s rapid progress. “They are incredibly strong. I have a lot of respect for what they have done. They are incredibly fast and good everywhere.”
Can Red Bull Bounce Back?
The Shanghai race weekend will feature the season’s first sprint race, but Verstappen doesn’t think it will significantly impact Red Bull’s chances.
“If you are fast, you are normally fast in both the sprint race and the main race,” he said, noting that this year’s Red Bull feels like an improvement over last season’s dominant car. “The car drives differently than last year, in a positive way. The only question is whether we can find additional performance.”
With McLaren gaining ground and engine regulations potentially shifting in the coming years, Verstappen’s long-term future remains uncertain. But if the roar of the V10s returns, F1 might just keep its biggest star for a little longer.
Read also: How Much Every F1 Team Earned in Prize Money in 2024 - Ranked from Lowest to highest
