RACING LINES
Damien Smith
The 1970s was a wild time of screaming vees and powerslides
I love the banshee scream of naturally aspirated racing engines. V8s, V10s, V12s: it doesn’t matter. As a child of the 1980s, the nervy anticipation of an aural sensual assault was a significant part of the thrill when heading to a race track. That’s why catching a round of the historic Masters Racing Legends series for Formula 1 cars of 1966-1985 is always a nostalgic throwback treat. Cosworth DFV V8s are the soundtrack of my childhood.
That’s also why I’m surprised at my own response to the growing debate that has entered the mainstream over whether F1 should return to V10s with (so-called) sustainable fuel.
F1’s next generation of hybrid power units is due next year, founded on a desire for a near50:50 split on electrical power and turbo V6 propulsion. Six manufacturers are committed: incumbents Mercedes, Ferrari and Honda and newcomers Audi and Ford (via Red Bull’s selfbuilt powertrain) for 2026 and General Motors later in the decade. For Audi in particular, the powertrain package was a principal factor in its commitment to finally taking the F1 plunge.