2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button has called for combustion engines to return to Formula 1, something he believes would be supported by “every driver”.
However, the retired F1 star has admitted that such a thing can only happen if they’re run on sustainable fuel.
Since 2014, F1 have run 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 hybrid engines, which replaced the aspirated 2.4-litre V8 engines.
The old engines did sound unbelievable, with the noise nowadays being a common complaint by fans.
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Button believes returning to combustion engines would please both the drivers and the fans, given that is “sounds good”.
The engines are set to change once again in 2026, when the power unit regulations will be completely revamped.
Despite this, Button thinks combustion engines are what the sport needs, but by using sustainable fuels to support the environment.
“I love that we’re pushing different technologies and I love that we’re pushing EV, hydrogen, but for me the most exciting has to be sustainable fuels because I love a combustion engine,” Button told Sky Sports.
“I think every driver would hope so [that Formula 1 will go back to combustion engines], we just love the sound of the engines and I think it doesn’t matter how quick the car is if it sounds good, the fans love it as well.
“But, we have to be doing the right thing as well, and if we can work with sustainable fuel and we think it’s the right direction, the great thing is we have three different options for the future in terms of road cars and racing cars.
“But the sustainable fuel one is the most exciting for people who are in this business already, we love the sound of a revving engine, we love how it feels underneath you in terms of the feeling you get from it, so if we can work that out that’s great.”
Last weekend’s Goodwood Revival Festival – which Button was participating in – had a sustainable fuel category for the first-time ever, something the event are trying to push for the future of Goodwood.
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Sustainable fuels is likely the way forward for several classic events, given that there is only so much that the older cars can successfully run on.
“This year we have a sustainable fuel category, so we’re all racing in Porsche’s from the 1960s, and it’s the first time they’ve ran on sustainable fuel, which is really important for Goodwood as a whole because this event wants to continue for decades to come,” Button explained.
“It doesn’t work if it’s EV, it doesn’t work if its hydrogen because you have to have them in period, that’s the whole point of Goodwood revival, so to have that category is fantastic.”