Why the return of V8 engines in Formula 1 has been postponed. The FIA has postponed discussions on the return of V8 engines in Formula 1.

F1 | No V8 engines in 2029: here is the new date for their return

The president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has cancelled the planned meeting in London between the sport’s top management that was meant to discuss the comeback of V8 engines for the next regulatory cycle in Formula 1.

The topic of reintroducing V8 engines has been widely debated in recent months, and until just a few weeks ago it seemed that their return was approaching. A meeting scheduled after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza was supposed to outline the possible date for their reintroduction and how the new regulations would be framed.

The proposed power units would have been 2.4-litre V8 engines, similar to those used between 2006 and 2013, paired with an electric motor capable of delivering between 220 and 240 kW. The aim, thanks also to the use of sustainable fuels, would be to lower both emissions and costs, as these engines are less complex and easier to manage. The electric component would provide a power level halfway between the current specification (120 kW) and the one set to debut next year (350 kW).

Only two teams in favour of introducing V8s in 2029

The introduction had been targeted for 2029, but that proposal did not find favour with all manufacturers. Audi and Honda, for example, are investing heavily in the development of the 2026 power units and are unwilling to see their efforts wasted after just three seasons. By contrast, Cadillac and Red Bull were pushing to bring V8s back as early as 2029, while Ferrari and Mercedes preferred to delay until 2030.

The differing views among the manufacturers prevented any majority agreement on a shared plan. As a result, the London meeting was called off, along with the possibility of confirming 2029 as the official date for the V8s’ return.

The most realistic new date now appears to be 2031, a choice that follows a clear logic. The 2026 rules will usher in a new five-year regulatory cycle, and it would not be ideal to change engine regulations midway through. By shifting the reintroduction to 2031, manufacturers would have the time to focus fully on the 2026 power units and then plan properly for the following cycle.

Despite the delay, the idea of bringing V8 engines back to Formula 1 remains very much alive. With their relative simplicity and efficiency compared to current solutions, they are still widely regarded as the most viable option for the future.