Jenson Button urges Formula One bosses to make a significant rule change that ‘every driver would hope for’ – but 2009 world champion outlines a major caveat
- Formula 1 replaced naturally aspirated engines with hybrid units in 2014
- From 2026, the sport will be even more dependent on electrical energy
- Button hopes that sustainable fuels can lead to the return of combustion engines
Jenson Button wants combustion engines to be reintroduced to Formula 1, provided they can run on sustainable fuels.
The sport said goodbye to naturally aspirated V8 engines nine years ago and replaced them with turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 engines, which are supported by energy recovery systems that drivers can deploy.
The so-called ‘Hybrid Era’ of Formula 1 will enter a new phase from 2026, where cars will be powered by new engines that run on sustainable fuels, but with a greater share of electric energy.
Button supports the sport’s push to become more environmentally friendly and believes sustainable fuels could pave the way for a return to combustion engines, which would improve both the quality of racing and the sound of the cars.
Speaking at the Goodwood Revival earlier this week, the 2009 world champion suggested that running combustion engines on sustainable fuel would be a perfect solution for the sport.
Jenson Button has called on Formula 1 to reintroduce combustion engines as long as they can run on sustainable fuels
“I love that we’re pushing different technologies and I love that we’re pushing EV and hydrogen, but for me sustainable fuels have to be the most exciting because I love an internal combustion engine,” he told Sky Sports.
‘I think every driver would hope (for Formula 1 to return to combustion engines), we just love the sound of the engines and I think it doesn’t matter how fast the car is if it sounds good, the fans love it too on .’
To ensure the 2030 Net Zero Carbon project targets are met, Formula 1 will introduce a new carbon-free fuel in 2026 to reduce CO2 emissions from fossil fuels to zero.
And Button believes the introduction of sustainable fuels could have a revolutionary impact not only on Formula 1, but also on motorways.
“We also have to do the right thing, and if we can work with sustainable fuel and we think this is the right direction, the great thing is that for the future we have three different options in terms of road cars and racing cars,” he said.
‘The sustainable fuel is most exciting for people who are already active in this industry.
“We love the sound of an engine running, we love how it feels underneath you in terms of the feeling it gives you, so if we can figure that out, that’s great.”
As part of the rule changes in 2026, Audi and Honda will join Formula 1 as engine manufacturers.
Formula 1 cars are powered by 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 engines supported by energy recovery systems that the drivers can deploy
The sport last used V8 combustion engines in 2013, after their introduction in 2006
Cars will also be equipped with an MGU-K (or Kinetic Motor Generator Unit) that can produce three times as much electrical energy as current hybrid components.
The higher share of electric energy means less fuel will be used overall – around 70kg per race, compared to 100kg in 2020 and 160kg in 2013 – but the power units will still deliver over 1,000hp.
Speaking to Autosport in January, Formula 1 technical director Pat Symonds said the new engine rules aim to level the playing field.
“We set a lot of high-level goals with the new regulations, and one of the high-level goals for the 2026 powerplant was to create a level playing field for new entrants,” he said.