Mohammed bin Sulayem has brought the return of V10 engines to Formula 1 into play – Max Verstappen doesn’t want to see such topics in public
The President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Mohammed bin Sulayem, recently suggested that Formula 1 could return to V10 engines with e-fuels. Max Verstappen does not think much of discussing such ideas publicly at such an early stage. The Dutchman expects such proposals to be discussed and developed internally first. Only when serious consideration is being given to implementation should the FIA involve the public.
Verstappen would be open to V10 engines, but also says: “It would be a nice idea, but whether it’s really feasible or not is another matter. It would be better if not so many things were made public. These things should be resolved behind the scenes. That would certainly be better for everyone,” warns the Dutchman.
For the Formula One manufacturers, for example, sustainability is a big issue, which is why the hybrid plays an important role. Do V10 engines with e-fuels fit into this strategy at all?
Verstappen is already at loggerheads with the FIA because drivers are to be heavily penalized for swearing in the future. In the World Rally Championship (WRC), Adrien Fourmaux, who swore in an interview and had to pay 10,000 euros for it, has already been caught. Several offenses can even lead to a one-month suspension.
Verstappen jokes that this is why he can simply curse in his mother tongue. “I did that a lot in my karting days anyway. It’s really stupid. You don’t want to deal with it, but it is what it is,” he says.
Verstappen is known for not mincing his words. The four-time Formula 1 world champion is attacking again with Red Bull in the 2025 season and will probably have to hold back if he doesn’t want to pay a fine of several thousand euros. It is more important not to risk a ban, because a one-month forced break would probably decide the title fight.
