FIA president vows to bring back V8 engines: 'Simpler, lighter, safer, louder'

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has doubled down on his promise to bring V8 engines back to Formula 1, describing the next-generation power unit as "simpler, lighter, safer, louder." He also confirmed that the V8s would rely far less on battery power than the current V6 formula.

Why it matters:

After years of growing discontent with the muted sound and increasing complexity of V6 hybrid engines, the FIA is pushing for a dramatic shift. A return to V8s with minimal electrification could reignite fan passion and lower costs for manufacturers, reshaping the sport's technical direction for the next decade.

The details:

• Ben Sulayem first floated the V8 return last month, aiming for 2030 or 2031 as part of the next FIA regulations cycle.
• Formula 1 last used V8 engines in 2013 before switching to turbocharged V6 hybrids.
• Minimal electrification: The new V8s will have "very, very minor" battery power, a stark contrast to the current 50/50 split between combustion and electrical power.
• The president claimed the change would improve braking, cornering, and wheel-to-wheel racing while reducing high-voltage systems.
• "Sound is part of Formula 1’s identity – louder, more visceral engines enhance the fan experience," he wrote on Instagram.

What's next:

The FIA has regulatory authority to introduce the new engine rules without a vote from power unit manufacturers starting in 2031. Ben Sulayem is targeting 2030, one year earlier, but acknowledges opposition from current manufacturers. If successful, fans could hear the roar of V8s again by the start of the 2030 season.