FIA president commits to bringing V8 engines back to Formula 1 by 2031

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has made a public commitment to returning V8 engines to Formula 1 by 2031 at the latest, framing the move as a central pillar of the sport's next major regulatory cycle.

The End of the Turbo Hybrid Era?

Ben Sulayem has long been an advocate for moving away from the complex turbo hybrid architecture that has defined F1 power units since 2014, when the normally-aspirated V8 era was phased out. His position is clear: the future of grand prix racing should be built around lighter, simpler power units running on sustainable fuels — not the increasingly elaborate hybrid systems currently in use.

The current generation of power units is contractually locked in until at least the end of the 2030 season, though debate persists in the paddock over whether the next regulatory cycle will begin that year or be pushed back by one season. Regardless of that timing uncertainty, Ben Sulayem has now publicly set his sights on ensuring V8 power is back on the grid no later than 2031.

"I am committed to bringing V8s back to Formula 1," he wrote on social media. "Ideally by 2030, but certainly by 2031 as part of the next FIA regulations cycle. V8s are lighter, simpler and more cost-effective, while sustainable fuels mean they can remain aligned with our environmental ambitions. Most importantly, they bring back the unique, visceral sound that fans around the world associate with Formula 1."

Manufacturer Support Growing

Ben Sulayem is not alone in his thinking. Several major power unit manufacturers — including Mercedes HPP — have signalled openness to a return to naturally aspirated machinery, with some even floating the possibility of going a step further and revisiting V10 configurations. This appetite among manufacturers lends the FIA president's proposal considerably more political weight than it might otherwise carry.

As the governing body responsible for writing F1's technical regulations, the FIA holds the pen on what the next power unit framework will look like. Ben Sulayem's direct intervention via social media signals a deliberate push to shape that conversation early — and publicly. The theme of engines rooted in a simpler, high-revving philosophy is clearly gaining momentum: it even echoes the spirit behind projects like Anthony Hamilton's HybridV10 series, which recently unveiled its first car design targeting naturally aspirated V10 power.

Whether the timeline ultimately lands in 2030 or 2031, one thing is increasingly clear: the days of the turbo hybrid in Formula 1 are numbered, and the movement to replace it is now being driven from the very top of the sport's governance structure.

The End of the Turbo Hybrid Era?