Anthony Hamilton Launches HybridV10 Series After Lewis Hamilton's F1 2026 Engine Criticism

Anthony Hamilton, father of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, has announced that his ambitious HybridV10 racing series is moving forward, with the initial design phase now complete and CFD development underway. The series, which aims to feature separate V10 and V8 divisions, is targeting a first race in 2028—a timeline that Hamilton Sr. described as unchanged.

Why it matters:

The announcement comes amid growing discontent with Formula 1's 2026 power unit regulations. Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, recently called the new engines “not what motorsport should be,” noting that “the power dies halfway down the straight.” The HybridV10 series offers an alternative vision, blending hybrid technology with classic naturally aspirated V10 and V8 sound—a direct challenge to the direction top-tier motorsport is taking.

The details:

• HybridV10 will house two separate divisions: one for V10s and one for V8s, with a focus on fan engagement and accessibility for drivers and teams.
• Anthony Hamilton posted an update on Instagram, confirming: “The initial car design phase is now complete and we have moved into the first stages of CFD development. The target remains the same: 2028.”
• He also took a subtle shot at Formula 1, signing off with: “Looking at the direction top-tier motorsport is heading, HybridV10 cannot come soon enough.”
• Lewis Hamilton had earlier praised the current F1 chassis for enabling close racing but criticized the 2026 engines at the Canadian Grand Prix. That race saw Kimi Antonelli win for Mercedes while Hamilton battled Max Verstappen to finish second.
• The FIA has already made tweaks to the 2026 regulations after widespread driver backlash, with a more radical hardware change being considered for 2027.

What's next:

Anthony Hamilton is actively raising funds to bring HybridV10 to life. With the design phase complete, the project will now move into simulation and aerodynamics testing. If successful, the series could launch in 2028, offering an alternative to F1's increasingly electrified future—and potentially drawing interest from manufacturers and drivers nostalgic for the V10 era.