## Vettel Calls for F1 to Prioritize Spectacle and Affordability, Questions Engine Regulations
Former Formula 1 champion Sebastian vettel recently voiced his concerns about the direction of the sport, focusing on the impact of current and future engine regulations on the fan experience and the overall spirit of racing. He specifically criticized the complexity and cost of the current hybrid engines, and expressed a longing for the visceral experience provided by older engine formats.
Looking ahead to the 2026 regulation changes – which will increase the focus on electrical energy in F1 engines - Vettel believes the current hybrid formula doesn’t offer tangible benefits. “The current engine is too expensive. Apart from the ‘Hybrid‘ sticker, there hasn’t been any transfer to series production because it was too complex and too expensive,” he stated. He emphasized the need for closer competition and affordability, arguing, “From a sporting perspective, the competition must be as close as possible without damaging the spirit of Formula 1. And people must still be able to afford the sport.”
Vettel highlighted the importance of the sensory experience for attracting fans to races.He described the broader event atmosphere, questioning how to improve spectator access, consumption at the track, and the overall event experience. He then shared his personal connection to the older generation of engines. “I was still able to experience what a V10 feels and sounds like. And that is part of the show and the Formula 1 experience. In the past you didn’t just go to the race track to see who would win; you also wanted to breathe in all the fascination around it.”
While acknowledging that newer fans may not share his nostalgia, Vettel believes a V10 engine could still excite a modern audience. He questioned the necessity of tying engine formulas directly to road car production, stating, “I do think there’s a generation growing up for whom the V10 sound is no longer as critically important as it is indeed for us, but who could still be excited by it. The question is whether the engine formula has to be relevant to road car production.I don’t think so.”
Addressing the sport’s commitment to sustainability – aiming for net-zero carbon status by 2030 - Vettel acknowledged the need for any potential return to older engine types to align with environmental goals.He stressed the importance of balancing entertainment with ecological obligation.
“It will move away from this transfer and more towards entertainment. We should stick to what we certainly know, but it has to be done better in environmental terms,” Vettel explained. He broadened the discussion to encompass ethical manufacturing practices, stating, “The shoe I buy has to be manufactured in a way that doesn’t harm the environment and that ensures fair working conditions. The same applies to cars and motorsport events. it would be a shame if the motorsport we know were to cease to exist. It’s perfectly normal for it to change.”