FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed that V-8 engines will return to Formula 1, framing it as a question of timing rather than possibility. Speaking with Car and Driver, Ben Sulayem outlined the technical and logistical challenges involved in reintroducing naturally aspirated eight-cylinder power units to the sport's top category.
The shift represents a dramatic departure from F1's current hybrid power unit regulations, which mandate 1.6-liter turbocharged V-6 engines paired with complex energy recovery systems. V-8s would simplify the technical complexity that currently constrains engine development and increases manufacturer costs. The move aligns with growing momentum to make F1 more accessible to potential engine suppliers and reduce the financial barriers to entry.
Ben Sulayem also discussed McLaren's potential path to becoming an engine manufacturer. The Woking-based team currently uses Mercedes power units, but the FIA president suggested the carmaker could develop its own engines under revised regulations. McLaren explored engine manufacturing during the Honda partnership era and possesses engineering capabilities that could support such an endeavor.
The V-8 discussion reflects broader frustration within the paddock about current power unit regulations. Teams and fans have criticized the dominance of hybrid systems and the limited manufacturer participation. Only Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull produce F1 engines today, compared to the broader supplier base during the naturally aspirated V-10 and V-8 era.
Introducing V-8s faces hurdles including redesigned chassis architecture, exhaust systems, and fuel consumption mapping. The FIA must balance sustainability credentials with competitive appeal. However, the environmental argument against V-8s weakens if hybrid systems remain in road cars while track regulations change.
Ben Sulayem's comments suggest rule changes could arrive within the next F1 regulation cycle, which begins in 2026