F1’s engine future has been the subject of heavy debate for some time now, only more so since the introduction of the 2026 regulations, which introduced a 50:50 split between electrical power and the internal combustion engine, and has been widely criticised by drivers and fans alike.
Chief among the concerns in 2026 are the need to lift and coast in qualifying, as opposed to pushing flat-out, super-clipping – when the MGU-K diverts its attention to slowing the car down and harvesting energy at high speed – as well as dangerous closing speeds, as seen in the 50G crash suffered by Haas’ Ollie Bearman at Suzuka.
Ben Sulayem makes F1 engine promise: ‘V8 is coming’
Photo: Race Pictures
If Ben Sulayem’s comments at Miami are anything to go by, Stroll might not have to wait too long to get his way. When asked whether F1 could return to V8s or V10s, the FIA President said: “It’s coming. Oh yes, it is coming. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of time,” as per RacingNews365.
What’s more, however, is that the FIA boss expressed confidence a change could be implemented by 2030 even without the approval of F1’s PUMs [power unit manufacturers]. Manufacturers such as Audi and Honda are understood to have joined, or stayed in, F1 as a result of the move to road relevant electrification.
Ben Sulayem said: “In 2031, the FIA will have the power to do it, without any votes from the PUMs. That’s the regulations. But we want to bring it one year earlier, which everyone [externally] now is asking for. When you try to tell them [the PUMs] they say no, but what will come, will come, and it [the power] will come back to the FIA.“
Speaking of road relevance, Ben Sulayem said V8s would be the preferred route for F1, given that V10s are becoming less common on production vehicles. There was also the suggestion that electrical power would see a “very, very minor” role in these new changes.
“I feel like a V10…if I ask any of the manufacturers who are in F1 now if they produce any cars with a V10, an era that many of the cars had, but now, no,” said Ben Sulayem.The most popular and easiest to work with is the V8. You get the sound, less complexity, lightweight.
“You will hear about it very soon, and it will be with a very, very minor electrification, but the main one will be the engine. It will not be something like now, which is a 46-54 split. There will be very minimal [electric] power.”
Once again, the FIA chief was adamant such a move could be made, claiming that even without PUM approval, a change is in the offing. He concluded: “I’m targeting 2030. One year before the maturity [of the regulations]. it will happen. They [manufacturers] want it to happen.
“But let’s say the manufacturers don’t [vote for it], then one more year and it will be done. It’s not a matter of, ‘Do I need their support?’ No, it will be done. V8 is coming.”