Ben Sulayem targets decision on F1’s V8 future in coming months

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says he hopes a framework for a possible return to V8 engines in Formula 1 can be confirmed in the coming months, while stressing that the change is not yet agreed.

The debate has gathered pace since the introduction of the 2026 power units. Drivers have criticised their reliance on battery power and the demands of managing energy, with Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris among those to question the regulations. Their views have helped bring a future engine overhaul into focus.

Verstappen’s wider F1 future has also drawn attention in recent coverage, while Alonso’s commitment to Aston Martin has been another subject of discussion.

FIA wants a framework soon, but no agreement is in place

Asked whether a new regulatory framework could be settled this year, Ben Sulayem indicated that the FIA hopes for progress within a few months. He said the governing body is waiting for teams and power unit manufacturers to respond to the proposals.

The president had declared in Rwanda the previous week that V8s would return in 2030. He has since clarified that the proposal remains unresolved. Technical and financial questions still need to be addressed before a switch to simpler engines can be confirmed.

The consultation process has involved teams, team principals, power unit manufacturers and a driver, with documents now being reviewed by the relevant groups.

Cost, materials and performance remain part of the discussion

Ben Sulayem argued that a simpler engine could cost less and take less time to produce, although he cautioned that research and development costs would not necessarily fall in direct proportion to the overall price.

He also pointed to decisions around engine materials and performance. Some materials can become expensive when manufacturers are pursuing small power gains, he said, while restrictions would need to be policed to prevent their use. Reliability and output are among the factors the rules would have to balance.

The prospect of a V8 formula has also been associated with the return of engine sound and lighter cars. But Ben Sulayem warned that the permitted weight would need careful consideration. For now, the FIA’s target is to establish a framework, not to present the V8 switch as a settled outcome.