Outgoing F1 driver Esteban Ocon has offered a novel solution to the sport’s future engine debate following the heavy criticism that has shrouded the current season.

F1’s hybrid power units have faced sustained criticism this year for the severe energy derate drivers experience on straights when batteries deplete, sometimes dropping from over 1,000 horsepower to around 550 horsepower.

The current regulations split power roughly 52:48 between a 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 producing around 400 kW, and a 350 kW electric motor, after the costly MGU-H was scrapped to cut costs and attract new manufacturers such as Audi.

But the system has drawn fire from teams and drivers alike over time, notably over extreme closing-speed differences and the need for lift-and-coast energy harvesting through corners, prompting the FIA to review the deployment parameters.

Ocon, who leaves Haas at the end of this season after two years with the team but is hopeful of staying in F1 in some capacity for 2027, even if a reserve role proves necessary, has floated an unconventional alternative when discussing the engine debate.

“We’re all thinking about V8s, V10s, obviously naturally aspirated,” said Ocon, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365. “That’s probably the best drivability you can get.

“But with Formula 1 nowadays, the amount of power we get, we might be lacking a bit of torque on the bottom end. And that’s where the hybrid technology comes into play, and that’s where it fills the lack of torque that this engine would have.

“So I think the best supercars in the market are the ones with a loud engine filled with a bit of electric.

“Or you don’t go electric at all, and you put turbos on it, like two, one small, one big, so you feel the lag at the bottom end.

“But on a race car, I haven’t seen many biturbo winning machines, so it would be quite interesting.

“Anyway, I think there are so many possibilities on the engine side and possibilities that could be better than what we have now.”

[Article continues below]

Alonso urges pragmatism

Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso, who raced in F1 during the V8 and V10 eras before the sport turned to turbo-hybrids, struck a more measured tone when asked about reverting to the old formula.

“The world has changed,” the Spaniard said.

“Obviously, they were fun cars to drive, very light, very loud, but maybe they don’t fit with today’s world, that kind of technology.

“And we were changing engines when I started. We had an engine for Saturday, 12 laps in quali, and then an engine for Sunday. So is that possible in today’s world? Probably not.

“We need to be happy and adapt to the world, and maybe the hybrid systems are the way to go.

“We just need to find the ratio of the combustion and electric parts, how much we need to help on the electric side.”