Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has backed FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s proposal to bring V8 engines back to the sport as early as 2030.
The plan involves pairing naturally aspirated V8 power units with fully sustainable fuels, a direction that has gained widespread approval across current teams and drivers.
Ben Sulayem has previously talked about the possibility of bringing back fully, or close to, ICE power units in the past, and the topic was regurgitated after the season began.
And at the Miami Grand Prix, the Emirati was quoted as saying of a return to V8s: “Oh yes, it is coming. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of time.”
Despite having been a staunch defender of the controversial new ruleset, Domenicali appeared to voice strong support for the FIA’s vision.
“I think [the possibility is] quite big,” he told De Telegraaf.
“The president of the FIA really wants that and we support him in that. Of course, everything still needs to be worked out. But I think we are all heading in the right direction in that regard.”
The potential shift comes during the opening season of the 2026 power unit regulations, which have faced mixed feedback from the grid.
Domenicali emphasised that driver input will play a larger role in shaping future engine formulas.
“I always listen to the drivers; they are our crown jewels,” Domenicali added.
“I have always said that, and I will always continue to do so. If you look at the current engines now: we must not forget that these current models come from the manufacturers.
“Years ago, they wanted to go in this direction, and for us, it was essentially take it or leave it. The world evolves, and so does the sport.”
While switching to sustainable V8s would satisfy nostalgic fans and drivers yearning for better sound, balancing those desires against manufacturer interests will remain F1’s biggest challenge moving forward.
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