FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has once again reopened the debate on a potential return to V8 engines in Formula 1, targeting a major regulatory overhaul by the 2029 season. His proposal, focused on simplification and cost reduction, stands in contrast to the ongoing hybrid engine roadmap and has sparked wide discussion within the paddock and among fans.
It remains unclear whether this bold statement is simply a strategic move ahead of the upcoming FIA presidential election—where Mohammed Ben Sulayem will be running against former FIA steward Tim Mayer—or whether it reflects a genuine belief in the need for change. However, one thing is certain: the Emirati president of motorsport’s governing body is firmly committed to promoting the idea of abandoning complex hybrid power units in favor of a simpler, more traditional V8 engine formula.
During the British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone, Mohammed Ben Sulayem shared his views once again in a conversation with journalists, as reported by Reuters. He reiterated his concerns about the rising complexity and astronomical costs associated with the current hybrid power units. These engines, which are already due to undergo a structural change in 2026 with an increased reliance on electric components, are scheduled to define Formula 1’s next technical era. New manufacturers such as Audi and Cadillac have joined the championship in alignment with this hybrid vision, with Cadillac expected to debut its own power unit in 2029.
Against this backdrop, any discussion about completely overhauling the engine format once again must be approached with caution. Yet Ben Sulayem insists that the return to V8s is not only feasible but necessary.
Simpler, lighter, more cost-effective engines
“The current engine is so complicated that people have no idea how complex it really is—and it’s incredibly expensive,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “Research and development costs are reaching 200 million dollars, and the engine itself costs between 1.8 and 2.1 million dollars. Many manufacturers already produce V8 engines for their road cars, so commercially, this would be a sensible decision.”
He continued, “For us, the V8 is a realistic solution. I’m very optimistic now, because discussions with the teams are progressing. Formula One Management (FOM) supports the idea, and the teams are beginning to realize that this is the right direction to take.”
“We need to act quickly,” Mohammed Ben Sulayem added. “It takes about three years to make it happen, so we’re hoping to have something in place by 2029. But we also have to consider that fuel is extremely costly, and transmissions are also a major expense. These are all critical factors we must manage carefully.”
According to the FIA President, a return to V8 engines would bring additional benefits, such as reducing the overall weight of Formula 1 cars—an increasingly important factor given the heavier hybrid systems. Moreover, the reintroduction of V8 powertrains would bring back the iconic, high-revving sound that long-time fans of Formula 1 associate with its golden eras, a feature that would also appeal to newer generations of spectators who crave excitement and emotion.
24 cars on the grid?
Mohammed Ben Sulayem also touched on the ever-contentious issue of grid expansion and the possible admission of a 12th Formula 1 team, following the controversy surrounding Cadillac’s long-delayed entry.
On this subject, the 63-year-old FIA president adopted a more measured tone. He indicated that he has no interest in escalating tensions with the existing teams or creating unnecessary friction. “We are not here to upset the other teams,” said Ben Sulayem. “We’re not doing this just for the sake of doing it.”
Commenting on the potential expansion to 24 cars on the grid, he concluded: “It has to be worth it. Any new team that joins the Formula 1 World Championship must bring added value that supports and strengthens the business of Formula 1.”
Leave a Reply