By Graham Duxbury @TheRealDux

Formula One’s Livery Launch at The O2 arena in London – featuring all 10 teams - clearly underlined the sport’s intention to appeal to a broader audience with an expertly presented “glitz-and-glamour” event.

Ever since F1 permitted sponsor logos to adorn the cars (at the 1968 South African Grand Prix) the commercial aspect of the sport has been important.   

For F1 fans who say the Livery Launch was more show than sport, back in the 2000's most teams would host similar events (obviously for their own cars) with all the (then) latest gimmicks drawn from fashionable nightclubs – including celebrity appearances, flashing lights, smoke machines and amazing surround sound.

If F1 continues on this path – and why not, as burgeoning popularity is good for everyone concerned – then perhaps the idea of “better sound” could be explored.

Afterall, the sound of today’s low-revving, muted, V6 F1 engines has been the source of many criticisms and complaints from fans who remember the glorious, thrilling sounds of the V10 engines of yesteryear.

Could V10 engines return to F1?

This is not a pipe dream as the idea is actually being considered within the halls of power. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is reportedly considering the idea of bringing back normally-aspirated V10s, running on fully sustainable fuel, for the 2030 regulations

While the return of V10s might be seen as a step back in terms of technology and away from the current electrical hybrid cars favoured by car manufacturers, there are key factors in its favour.

Firstly, sustainable fuel is increasingly being accepted by green activates who are generally supportive as long as the fuels closely align with broader environmental, social, and economic goals.

The power units would be much cheaper to develop and may open the door to independent engine manufacturers, like Cosworth, minimising F1’s reliance on car makers who often do not maintain a long-term interest in the sport.

Another advantage would be weight saving. Removing the battery bulk from F1 cars would make them nimbler and spectacular which would be a move in the right direction.