REPORTS: Ferrari & Red Bull Team Up Against Mercedes in 2026 F1 Engine War

A massive wave of criticisms struck the F1 community when the governing body announced that the cars will run with a V6 engine (Honda, Ferrari, Mercedes, and Renault) from 2014. The usual screams of the cars became subdued, as technology superseded every other requirement.

And of course, in time, the viewers have obliged to the fact that the world is growing technologically, and so should F1. It has been 7 years now since the biggest makeover to F1 arrived – the replacement of V8 with V6 engines. And the next set of engine regulation changes will take place in 2026, and talks are already underway.

However, to the fans that are yearning for the return of V8 and V10 engines in 2016, much worse news could be approaching.

Will F1 return to 8 cylinders?

The answer is No, according to Auto Motor und Sport. What’s worse is that, by 2026, Formula 1 could head into an entirely new era, the era of V4. Yes, you heard it right. The sport is already planning on pushing down to 4-cylinder power units. However, it doesn’t seem that easy at the moment.

The 4 major engine suppliers have variable opinions at the moment. On one side, there are Red Bull and Ferrari, demanding that F1 must move into the V4 category. Meanwhile, on the other side, there are Mercedes and Renault, who wish to stay with V6.

Formula One F1 – Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary – July 31, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton qualifies in pole position Pool via REUTERS/David W Cerny

With the potential entry of Audi and Porsche, Red Bull and Ferrari prefer to start afresh. It is always tough for newcomers to compete against established teams in F1.

Hence, moving into V4 would force the present teams to start from scratch, leaving all the 6 engine suppliers to fight on equal grounds.

Why are Mercedes and Renault against it?

The answer is simple – cost. Renault believe that starting afresh would force the teams to a hefty sum of money, which will potentially affect F1’s ambition to reduce cost. And Mercedes, too, agree with Renault’s opinion.

“If we have CO2-neutral fuel, we don’t need a four-cylinder. The V6 is already there. Why reinvent the wheel?” Marcin Budkowski, Alpine’s Executive Director, said. “That means massive modifications to the car, more weight, and more costs.”

Formula One F1 – Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary – August 1, 2021 Alpine’s Esteban Econ in action REUTERS/Florion Goga

As of now, there is no consensus between the two sides. However, that is not going to last long, as FIA have awarded the engine suppliers time only until the end of summer.

If neither of the party comes to terms, then FIA and F1 hold every right to make their own decision. So, is 2026 going to stick with V6 or will V4 make its debut? Only time will.

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