Mohammed Ben Sulayem is considering F1 rule change that would ‘finish’ £949m-valued team

The 2025 season has only just started but already discussions are taking place about the upcoming changes to the sport and whether Formula 1 is heading in the right direction.

McLaren currently have the fastest car after pre-season testing and the Australian Grand Prix but the grid has converged to such an extent that at least four teams will believe they can win races this year.

However, F1’s technical regulations change in 2026 but not everybody is happy about the proposals.

Initial simulations of the proposed 2026 car are concerning with worries that next year’s cars could be much slower than this season’s machines.

There’s an awful lot of development that still needs to be done though and Formula 1 designers and engineers are notorious for finding workarounds to get ahead of the competition.

However, Bernie Ecclestone suggested a return to V10 engines in the latest F1 commission meeting and Ben Sulayem is currently privately considering whether it would be the right next step for the sport.

If Formula 1 does go in that direction it could spell the end of Audi’s involvement before they’ve even taken to the grid.

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton joins Bernie Ecclestone backing Mohammed Ben Sulayem proposal for F1 but on one condition

Audi would be ‘finished’ if Mohammed Ben Sulayem makes key F1 rule change for 2026

Journalist Michael Schmidt was speaking on Auto Motor und Sport’s YouTube channel about some proposed upcoming rule changes.

It was put to Schmidt that next year’s regulations are a hot topic in the paddock already and the ‘rumours’ suggest the rules might be completely mixed up again in a few years.

Responding to this, he said: “Yes, it was actually brought up I think briefly during testing that Stefano Domenicali thought about it briefly and said, ‘Well, the V10 with sustainable fuel is actually what we need.’

“It’s a smaller, lighter, cheaper engine, a simpler engine that everyone could build.

“Everyone is a bit worried that the balance we have now would be like me driving, but that it will fall apart in the next few years because someone builds by far the best engine or the best car.

“That’s why some people are extremely nervous and that was then increased with Mohammed Ben Sulayem bringing up the idea of extending the current rules by two years and then going straight to the V10 which of course isn’t practical.

“Audi would be finished with that, they wouldn’t have any engine at all.

“Toto Wolff also told me that we don’t have any engines anymore, he’s working hard on the new engines.

“The whole logistics, the processes, are no longer set up. Honda probably couldn’t race because it’s the same for them.

“Red Bull, who are actually the advocates of these rules, is right because they’ll never give up an engine for next year”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Sauber from team principal to 2026 Audi future

FIA considering alternative F1 regulations if 2026 rules turn out ‘to be a flop’

Schmidt then explained a potential alternate strategy that could be implemented and said: “An alternative solution came up that we’ll just do it like this, we’ll only let the new rules apply for three years, that’s possible according to four statutes.

“Then, we’ll go to the V10s or whatever it is, which is a bit suspect, the FIA has already set up a V10 working group.

“So, something will happen in the end, but I don’t think [it will happen]. One suggestion is impossible, Audi would probably sue, they’ve invested €500m [£420m] in their engine and in the infrastructure, all the test benches alone, that won’t work.

“But, we have to keep an eye on the other regulations which might only apply for three years, especially if it suddenly turns out to be a flop.”

Sauber waiting for Audi’s 2026 takeover to succeed in Formula 1

The £949m-valued Sauber team have had a troubling past few seasons culminating in the outfit finishing last in the constructors’ championship last season.

The signings of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto have been seen as very positive and the German has already surpassed the team’s entire points tally from 2024 in one race.

However, they are heavily relying on Audi’s investment and reputation within the world of motorsport to become a serious presence in F1 once again.

Deciding to extend the current regulations at this stage seems almost impossible given the time, energy and money already invested in next year’s car.

However, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see V10s back on the agenda again soon given their popularity among older fans.