FIA Confirms Return of V8 Engines to Formula 1 by 2030

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has announced plans to reintroduce V8 engines to Formula 1 as early as 2030, replacing the current 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid V6 power units.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed the decision during the Miami Grand Prix, emphasizing that the new V8 engines will feature minor electrification.

Since 2014, Formula 1 has exclusively used 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 hybrid engines, which have faced criticism for their heavy reliance on electric power. The shift back to V8s marks a significant regulatory change aimed at restoring the sport’s traditional engine sound and performance.

Timeline and Regulatory Power

Ben Sulayem stated that the FIA will have the authority to enforce the V8 switch in 2031 without requiring manufacturer approval. However, the governing body prefers to implement the change a year earlier, in 2030, if at least four of the six current engine manufacturers—Mercedes, Honda, Ferrari, GM, Audi, and Red Bull—vote in favor.

If manufacturers do not approve the 2030 transition, the FIA will proceed unilaterally in 2031.

“It’s coming. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of time. In 2031, the V8, the FIA will have the power to do it, without any votes from the PUMs (Power Unit Manufacturers). That’s the regulations. But we want to bring it one year earlier, which everyone now is asking for.”
— Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President

Potential Manufacturer Resistance

The return of V8 engines may deter some manufacturers who joined Formula 1 under the promise of hybrid electrification. Companies like GM, Audi, and Ford (via Red Bull) may reconsider their involvement if the sport reverts to traditional V8 technology.

Ferrari, a long-time advocate for V8 engines, is expected to support the change, while others may push back against the regulatory shift.

End of an Era and the Road Ahead

The last era of V8 engines in Formula 1 concluded in 2013, when teams used 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated V8s without electrification. These engines were renowned for their high-revving performance and distinctive sound, which many fans consider a defining feature of the sport.

With the FIA’s commitment to reintroducing V8s, Formula 1 could see a resurgence in traditional engine characteristics while balancing modern technological advancements.