FIA President Ben Sulayem Updates on Potential F1 V8 Return

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says the governing body is actively consulting teams and manufacturers about bringing V8 engines back to Formula 1 in the early 2030s. With 2031 floated as a regulatory backstop, the push comes amid ongoing frustration over the complexity and electrical dependence of the sport's 2026 turbo-hybrid power units.

Why it matters:

A naturally aspirated V8 revival would mark a dramatic shift away from over a decade of hybrid complexity, giving fans the louder, simpler machinery many have demanded. It also makes clear the FIA is willing to tear up its roadmap when current rules draw widespread complaints from drivers and teams about energy management and overall raceability.

The details:

• Ben Sulayem first raised the V8 prospect in the opening months of 2026, and several teams have since thrown their support behind a return no later than 2031.
• The FIA is drafting what Ben Sulayem calls a "fresh white paper engine" built around three core goals: better sound for fans, mechanical simplicity, and genuine cost effectiveness.
• Sustainable fuel: Despite ditching hybrid architecture, the president insists any future V8 would run on 100% sustainable fuel, keeping F1 aligned with its environmental targets without relying on heavy electrification.
• In comments to Viaplay, he admitted the 2026 regulations had shortcomings, stating the FIA "raises our hand and we fix it" when rules fail to deliver close competition.
• Locking in the formula will require a super majority of four out of six power unit manufacturers, plus broader team consensus.

What's next:

The FIA will spend coming months nailing down a concrete technical framework with power unit makers and the grid. If stakeholders reach consensus, Formula 1 could begin transitioning toward raw, high-revving V8 power well before the decade is out, changing both the sound and technical makeup of the sport.