FIA Confirms Hybrid Engines, V10 Talks Delayed

During a meeting in Bahrain, Formula 1 teams and the FIA confirmed the continuation of hybrid engines in the upcoming regulations, with discussions of a return to V10 engines postponed. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who initially proposed reconsidering naturally-aspirated V10s, led the talks, which also included potential new entrants like Ford and General Motors. The meeting was primarily exploratory, aiming to gather feedback for future engine trajectories post-2026, while reaffirming the 2026 hybrid regulations. Notably, Audi and Honda opposed any changes to these regulations that had attracted their involvement. Discussions of a governance crisis within the FIA emerged as deputy president Robert Reid resigned, citing a breakdown in governance standards. This internal conflict surfaced just before Ben Sulayem's first appearance at a Formula 1 event this year, adding political tension to the weekend's discussions.