V8 engines may return to Formula 1 in the not-too-distant future. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, stated that the plan is for the power units to be introduced in the 2030 season.
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The statement indicates that the category may abandon the current power unit concept even without unanimity among manufacturers. According to him, the FIA has the authority to move forward with the decision, even if it faces resistance in the process.
F1 adopted turbocharged V6 engines in 2014, but since then the model has been the target of criticism, especially for the less aggressive sound. In the current phase, the category maintained the concept, with a 50/50 split between combustion and electric energy, something that also generated questions. The format was compared to “Mario Kart,” with “mushroom-type boosts,” while overtakes, dependent on the battery, were called “artificial.”
Even with recent adjustments to reduce extreme energy use in qualifying and limit electric gain in races, drivers consider the changes insufficient. They described the measures as “small steps” and advocate for deeper changes.
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Ben Sulayem set a clear deadline for the possible change: “I’m aiming for 2030. One year before maturity. It will happen.” He also reinforced his position when addressing the need for manufacturers’ support: “It’s not a matter of needing their support. No, this will happen.”
The official also explained the motivation behind the proposal, prioritizing simplicity and efficiency: “The mission will be less complexity, not like now.” At the same time, he ruled out the return to V10s and highlighted the advantages of the V8: “The most popular and easiest to work with is the V8. You have the sound, less complexity, lightness.”
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