FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem Confirms Formula 1’s Planned Return to V8 Engines by 2030/31

Mohammed Ben Sulayem has confirmed that Formula 1 is set to return to V8 engines in the coming years, signalling a major shift in the sport’s long-term technical direction.

The FIA president made it clear that the move is not just a possibility, but an inevitability. “It’s coming, oh yes, it is coming. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of time,” he stated, underlining the governing body’s confidence in the transition.

Ben Sulayem revealed that from 2031, the FIA will have the authority to introduce the new engine format without requiring approval from power unit manufacturers. “In 2031, the FIA will have the power to do it, without any votes from the power unit manufacturers,” he explained.

He also hinted that the change could arrive even sooner, targeting a 2030 introduction if agreement can be reached. “I’m targeting 2030… it will happen. But let’s say the manufacturers don’t, then one more year and it will be done,” he added, reinforcing that the timeline may shift, but the outcome will not.

The proposed regulations would mark a clear departure from the current hybrid-heavy approach, with Ben Sulayem confirming that the electrical component will be significantly reduced. “It will not be something like now… there will be very minimal electric power,” he said, suggesting a stronger focus on combustion engines.

The move is expected to reshape Formula 1’s technical philosophy, potentially delivering simpler, louder, and more driver-focused cars, while still maintaining sustainability through modern fuels. With the FIA firmly committed, the return of V8 engines now appears less a question of “if” — and more a question of “when.”


Written by:  Kodwo Akyee