One unnamed ‘insider’ is quoted saying: “The manufacturers who are putting the most pressure on [to drop the new rules] are those who already know that they are behind schedule with their 2026 engine.”
It is said that Ferrari and Red Bull are thought to be among those in favour of a V10 return.
However, a decision to delay the 2026 rules would likely leave Red Bull in trouble as the team have no engine in place to compete under the current regulations.
Red Bull’s newly established engine division, Red Bull Powertrains, has been working on a 2026 power unit in conjunction with US giants Ford ahead of Honda’s switch to Aston Martin from next season.
Audi F1 would be faced with the same predicament with the German manufacturer working solely on an engine for the 2026 rules.
It says the opposite — they do have an engine that will be ready for 2026, unless they change the rules for 2026. They would want the 2026 changes to go ahead as planned for a couple years before then moving to V10.
… Red Bull that is; Ferrari might be the ones pushing the idea of dropping the 2026 change. If so maybe they just think they have an advantage with the current rules and don’t want to risk giving it up.