Johnny Herbert: It makes sense to take a cue from Lola Cars.

      Revived in 2022, the British company Lola Cars recently unveiled replicas of the famous Lola T70 S sports prototypes, which successfully competed in endurance racing in the late 1960s. We have discussed that only 16 such cars will be produced and what this technology entails, but it is worth adding that their powerful V8 engines run on synthetic fuel, which is considered environmentally sustainable. At the presentation, held in central London at the Royal Automobile Club, was Johnny Herbert, a former Formula 1 driver. Since many drivers competing in the World Championship in 2026 sharply criticize the next-generation power units, in which 50% of the power is generated by electric hybrid systems, Herbert was asked if Formula 1 should take a cue from Lola Cars. After all, both fans and drivers dream of the return of classic V8 engines, which can be refined considering modern scientific and technological advancements, and this would help avoid all the complexities that Formula 1 faced this season. "Yes, I think it makes sense," Johnny said in an interview with RacingNews365. "I believe that motorsport, in general, has always been good at solving problems when they arise. Lola is working with environmentally sustainable fuel, and that’s a well-known technology, but they are demonstrating what can be achieved in this area. And if such fuel is used, it can be said that internal combustion engines will have an eternal life, which is good." Just last year, FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem proposed the idea that hybrid power units could eventually be phased out in favor of V10 engines running on modern fuels, but his proposal did not gain support. Herbert agrees that returning to V10 engines is the wrong path but believes it would be wiser to consider the V8 option: "The hybrid power units currently used in Formula 1 are not performing at their best. But this indicates that when discussions about returning to V10 began – which is probably wrong, and the V8 option seems more realistic – it means that such a path can be chosen. I have heard rumors that this could happen a bit later, around 2030. But it’s great if Lola is already working on developing this technology and applying it to show people that it is indeed environmentally friendly. Can electrification be considered the most 'eco-friendly' scenario? No, these technologies, like any others, have their drawbacks. But there are other solutions that can be implemented, and this will allow the continued use of familiar technologies."