{"id":816,"date":"2026-08-17T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=816"},"modified":"2026-08-17T11:36:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T14:36:28","slug":"mercedes-compares-current-f1-engine-noise-to-a-fire-alarm-and-backs-v8-return-for-future-cycle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/mercedes-compares-current-f1-engine-noise-to-a-fire-alarm-and-backs-v8-return-for-future-cycle\/","title":{"rendered":"Mercedes compares current F1 engine noise to a &#8220;fire alarm&#8221; and backs V8 return for future cycle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Takeaways (TL;DR):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Wolff Criticizes Current Engines:<\/strong> Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff described the sound of the current power units on the starting grid as resembling a &#8220;fire alarm&#8221; and threw his support behind a V8 return.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Support for Ben Sulayem&#8217;s Proposal:<\/strong> Wolff is actively collaborating with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem on a potential V8 engine framework targeting an 80:20 combustion-to-electric ratio producing roughly 1,000 horsepower.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ferrari Vetoes Immediate 50 kW Power Bump:<\/strong> Plans to adjust the current engine output ratio to 60:40 ahead of 2028 were scaled back after Ferrari blocked an initial 50 kW increase proposal for 2027, capping next year&#8217;s increase at 20 kW.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff criticized the acoustic profile of the current hybrid power units, comparing their sound on the starting grid to a &#8220;fire alarm,&#8221; while endorsing plans to reintroduce V8 engines in the sport&#8217;s next regulatory cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking in an exclusive interview with <em>RacingNews365<\/em>, Wolff confirmed he is consulting directly with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, and fellow engine manufacturers regarding the future direction of Formula 1&#8217;s engine regulations.<sup><\/sup> The proposed shift would end the current turbo-hybrid era in favor of simpler, higher-revving internal combustion architecture paired with a reduced electrical component.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;These engines at the moment are so complex, and we&#8217;re starting to get our heads around it because they&#8217;ve changed the racing,&#8221; Wolff stated.<sup><\/sup> &#8220;Some like the Sundays and the racing because there are a lot of overtakes, others don&#8217;t like it, but the drivers who are most adaptable win. However, I can&#8217;t stand the cars revving on the grid before the start for 10 seconds; it sounds like a fire alarm.&#8221;<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"633\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mohammed-Ben-Sulayem2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1001092357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mohammed-Ben-Sulayem2.jpg 950w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mohammed-Ben-Sulayem2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mohammed-Ben-Sulayem2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mohammed-Ben-Sulayem2-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is pushing for a V8 engine revival in F1 (Photo: FIA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Proposed Technical Specifications for the Next Engine Cycle<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Looking ahead to the medium-to-long-term technical framework\u2014projected over a three-to-four-year horizon\u2014Wolff outlined the proposed balance between combustion and electrical power output:<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Engine Configuration:<\/strong> Eight-cylinder V8 internal combustion engine (ICE) prioritized for acoustic quality and simplicity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Power Output Balance:<\/strong> Approximately an 80:20 split favoring the internal combustion engine over the battery system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Total Target Output:<\/strong> Approximately 1,000 horsepower.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Battery Role:<\/strong> A significantly scaled-back electrical package, similar to a modernized KERS setup, ensuring reduced weight and complexity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Ben Sulayem wants an eight-cylinder V8, which has a good sound, alongside a more limited battery. I think the ratio would sit around 80:20 in terms of power output between the ICE and battery, delivering 1,000 horsepower. As a purist, I like that direction,&#8221; added Wolff.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Intermediary Rules Adjustment and Ferrari Veto<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prior to any eventual V8 rollout targeted for 2030 or 2031, Formula 1 is preparing incremental power adjustments to its existing regulations.<sup><\/sup> The current 50:50 power split between the ICE and electrical system is scheduled to shift toward a 60:40 split favoring thermal combustion by 2028.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Achieving this adjustment requires increasing fuel flow rates to generate higher internal combustion output, necessitating minor hardware adaptations across engine components.<sup><\/sup> However, a proposed 50 kW ICE power step planned for 2027 was modified after Ferrari exercised a veto against the change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;We would have wanted a 50-kilowatt increase in engine power for next year, but Ferrari blocked the proposal,&#8221; Wolff explained.<sup><\/sup> &#8220;As a result, we will introduce a 20-kilowatt step first, followed by a 50-kilowatt increase in 2028.&#8221;<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formula 1 resumes August 21\u201323 with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, representing Round 12 of the 2026 season. Full coverage of all sessions continues on <strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dutch Grand Prix Session Times<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Session<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Local Time (CEST)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>UTC \/ GMT<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Free Practice 1<\/strong><\/td><td>Friday, 12:30<\/td><td>10:30 UTC<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Sprint Qualifying<\/strong><\/td><td>Friday, 16:30<\/td><td>14:30 UTC<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Sprint Race<\/strong><\/td><td>Saturday, 12:00<\/td><td>10:00 UTC<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Qualifying<\/strong><\/td><td>Saturday, 16:00<\/td><td>14:00 UTC<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Grand Prix<\/strong><\/td><td>Sunday, 15:00<\/td><td>13:00 UTC<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why does Toto Wolff support returning to V8 engines in Formula 1?<sup><\/sup><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Toto Wolff supports returning to V8 engines to simplify current power unit complexity, reduce reliance on heavy battery architecture, and improve the acoustic experience for fans.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the proposed power output split for the next engine cycle?<sup><\/sup><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The proposed regulation cycle targets an approximate 80:20 power output ratio between the internal combustion engine (ICE) and battery system, yielding roughly 1,000 total horsepower.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why was the 2027 power unit adjustment modified?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A planned 50 kW internal combustion power increase for 2027 was scaled down to 20 kW after Ferrari vetoed the initial proposal, pushing the full 50 kW step back to 2028.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Toto Wolff revealed active discussions with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem regarding Formula 1&#8217;s long-term power unit regulations, voicing full support for a V8 engine comeback.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1001092924,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Toto Wolff","42wp_featured_image_credits":"Rodrigo Berton\/Ag\u00eancia Warm Up","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_ai_content_disclaimer":"","42wp_is_ai_content":false,"42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[],"footnotes":"","42wp_hide_from_automatic":false,"42wp_breaking_news":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[16,116],"42wp_author":[59],"class_list":["post-816","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","tag-mercedes","tag-toto-wolff","42wp_author-fabricio-carvalho"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/816","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=816"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/816\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":817,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/816\/revisions\/817"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1001092924"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=816"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=816"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=816"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=816"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}