FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has confirmed the timeline for the return of V8 engines to Formula 1, following growing calls from fans and drivers.
The FIA has confirmed the move following a rallying cry from vocal parts of the F1 fanbase and drivers, as the sport battles with divisive new regulations.
The 2026 rules have divided many, with “enhancements” introduced in an attempt to curb excessive superclipping and speed differentials.
But many continued to call for the return of V8 power, believing this will unlock the potential for a return to simpler cars.
Ben Sulayem outlined the timeline for the much vaunted return, citing the power unit manufacturers as the reason for choosing 2030.
“It’s coming,” he said to media, including Motorsport Week. “Oh yes, it is coming. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of time.”
“In 2031, the FIA will have the power to do it, without any votes from the PUMs [power unit manufacturers]. That’s the regulations.
“But we want to bring it one year earlier, which everyone [externally] now is asking for. When you try to tell them [the PUMs] they say no, but what will come, will come, and it [the power] will come back to the FIA.”
FIA details “mission” of F1 return to V8 power
Ben Sulayem then outlined the mission behind the switch, believing V8s hold more real world relevance.
“Let’s not talk about the technical side of it,” he said. “Let’s talk about the mission of it.
“The mission will be less complication, not like now. When the MGU-H was there before, it was there to serve a purpose, but none of the manufacturers benefited from it in the real world.
“Now, with just the MGU-K, it’s the same engine. It’s turbo, it’s 1.6 litre.”
While a return to V10 power, last used in 2004, has been ruled out, Ben Sulayem confirmed the new generation of V8 will have minor electrification elements.
“I feel like a V10…if I ask any of the manufacturers who are in F1 now if they produce any cars with a V10, an era that many of the cars had, but now, no,” he said.
“The most popular and easiest to work with is the V8. You get the sound, less complexity, lightweight.
“You will hear about it very soon, and it will be with a very, very minor electrification, but the main one will be the engine. It will not be something like now, which is a 46-54 split. There will be very minimal [electric] power.
“The V8, you see it [in road cars] with Ferrari, Mercedes, Audi, Cadillac. You see it with most of the manufacturers, and that gives you a lightweight car.”
Asked on a target for introduction, he said: “I’m targeting 2030. One year before the maturity [of the regulations]. it will happen.”
Indicating “positive” remarks on the change from the manufacturers, Ben Sulayem said: “They want it to happen.
“But let’s say the manufacturers don’t [vote for it], then one more year and it will be done. It’s not a matter of, ‘Do I need their support?’ No, it will be done. V8 is coming.”
Ben Sulayem’s timeline is an acknowledgement of the growing calls for change in F1, which appears to now have a timeline.
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