FIA Eyes V8 Return and Third-Party Engines to Reshape F1 by 2031

The FIA is preparing to reintroduce cheaper, naturally aspirated V8 engines from 2031, alongside a plan to supply customer teams via affordable third-party manufacturers. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes off-the-shelf engines would dismantle A-team and B-team alliances and prevent larger outfits from leveraging engine deals to influence smaller rivals.

Why it matters:

The proposal responds directly to McLaren CEO Zak Brown's concerns about team alliances and political block voting in Formula 1. Removing direct manufacturer-to-customer dependencies would level the competitive landscape and return the sport to a simpler, louder, and more cost-effective era.

The details:

• The next power unit formula would feature naturally aspirated V8s with a smaller hybrid system, cutting both cost and weight.
• Ben Sulayem confirmed the FIA could impose the regulations unilaterally from 2031 but prefers consensus, hoping to fast-track the change to 2030 with a supermajority among the six manufacturers.
• Currently, Mercedes, Red Bull Ford, and Ferrari supply engines to eight of the ten teams, creating deep political and technical dependencies.
• Independent suppliers like Cosworth were commonplace until the turbo-hybrid era began in 2014, when complexity and costs ended third-party engine supply.
• Audi is believed to favor retaining a turbocharger, while most other manufacturers broadly support the V8 concept.

What's next:

Formal regulations remain undefined with Concorde agreements locked until 2030. The FIA faces a delicate balancing act: forcing changes risks alienating OEMs, but Ben Sulayem is optimistic a consensus will emerge to launch the new formula a year ahead of schedule.