Formula 1 engines with V12 and V10 cylinders will never again make that loud, startling noise. Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of F1, says that the relatively quiet turbocharged six-cylinder engines that power F1 cars today should make less noise. Domenicali has recently been talking to the media about Formula One and its future. Engine noise has come up as a common topic. The current F1 engine, a 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 with hybrid power, is the least familiar and quietest in the sport’s history. Fans want to see progress, but the suggested limits for 2026 give them little reason to be optimistic. By 2026, F1 cars will still have turbocharged V6 engines, but hybrid power will be used much more. Domenicali says that even though there will be more blends, the sound will improve. During an interview with Australian radio station 3AW, Domenicali was asked if Formula One could become quieter. “No. Domenicali replied, “Absolutely not.” “Of course, we have to be hybrid, and we will be in the future,” he says. “But the goal of the new regulation is to make sure that the engine sound is louder.” It’s a natural expression of how we feel and what our fans want to hear, so we owe it to them to give it our all. When asked if Formula One would ever switch from hybrid to fully electric cars, Domenicali quickly shot down the idea. “I don’t think so,” was his answer. Formula One cars do not run on electricity. We have chosen to use hybrid engines and fuel that are good for the environment in the future, and we want to do this for a long time. Even if you turn up the wicks and exhausts on current V6 engines, they will never sound as good as the V12s and V10s of the past. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be attractive and loud. Excite and noise are expected to rise by 2026, especially since cars will have to meet stricter emissions rules. As more and more road cars become electric, Formula 1 will be a great way to remember the good old days of internal combustion. Even though the new engines will never sound as good as when Senna and Schumacher raced, they should still be exciting.
