FIA's V8 Engine Push Stalls as F1 Summit Canceled Amid Manufacturer Disagreement

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem's push to fast-track the return of V8 engines to Formula 1 is on hold after a crucial summit planned for next week was called off. The meeting aimed to discuss replacing turbo hybrid power units with V8s running on fully sustainable fuel.

Why it matters:

This development impacts the future direction of F1 engine regulations, potentially delaying a significant shift away from the current complex and expensive turbo hybrids. The FIA’s vision for simpler, lighter engines faces strong resistance from key manufacturers.

The big picture:

Ben Sulayem had invited engine manufacturers and team representatives to discuss a new 2.4-liter V8 engine formula, featuring sustainable fuel and a hybrid element. Proposed implementation dates were 2029 or 2030, with Ben Sulayem favoring the earlier timeline due to concerns over current engine complexity and cost.

The details:

• Summit Cancellation: Sources indicate the meeting was canceled due to a clear lack of consensus among manufacturers.
• Manufacturer Opposition: Both Honda and Audi reportedly stood firm against any early switch to V8s, despite varying degrees of support from other carmakers.
• Governance Rules: Under F1’s Powerunit Governance Agreement, any fundamental change to engine formulas before 2031 requires a super majority – backing from the FIA, FOM, and four of the five officially entered manufacturers. Honda and Audi's opposition made this impossible for 2029 or 2030.
• No Hope for Agreement: Without the necessary consensus, Ben Sulayem concluded there was no point in proceeding with the meeting.

What's next:

Beyond 2031, engine regulations are entirely open as no Powerunit Governance or Concorde Agreement is in place. Theoretically, the FIA could unilaterally impose new regulations from 2031. However, such a radical move risks some carmakers potentially withdrawing from F1 entirely. Ben Sulayem continues to advocate for a lighter engine, with single suppliers for the gearbox, fuel, and electric hybrid, believing it to be