Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of motorsport’s governing body the FIA, announced last weekend that Formula 1 plans to revert to V8 engines. This statement has sparked widespread discussion in the paddock, especially since such a shift seemed unlikely just a year ago.
FIA’s Firm Commitment to V8s
Current hybrid power units, introduced this season and locked in until 2030, have drawn significant criticism. Ben Sulayem confirmed the change during the Miami Grand Prix. “It’s coming. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of time,” he stated. “In 2031, the V8—the FIA will have the power to do it, without any votes from the power unit manufacturers. That’s the regulations. But we want to bring it one year earlier, which everyone now is asking for.”
V8 engines last powered F1 cars in 2013, before the switch to 1.6-liter V6 hybrids. The hybrid era aimed to mirror the automotive industry’s shift toward electrification. Minor tweaks occurred in 2022, but the core design persisted for over a decade.
Drawbacks of 2026 Power Units
The 2026 regulations boost electric output nearly threefold, from 120kW to 350kW, creating a near 50-50 split between combustion and electric power. Drivers must frequently manage battery energy harvesting, limiting flat-out racing. These units weigh at least 185kg—40kg heavier than 2025 models and double the 95kg of 2013 V8s.
Costs represent the primary concern. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali emphasized, “The cost of the power unit is too high, that is definite. We have the duty to make sure that this business is sustainable. We need to have products that are technologically relevant, and therefore, the cost of this is too high.”
Power unit manufacturers face a $190 million cap this year, up from $95 million annually previously. Each could spend around $660 million by season’s end.
New Manufacturers and Strategic Investments
Despite issues, 2026 rules attracted newcomers by simplifying designs—removing the complex MGU-H system while increasing electrification. Audi enters with its own engine, General Motors backs Cadillac as a works team by decade’s end, and Honda reversed its 2021 exit.
Honda views F1 as key to its future. Shota Yokono, spokesperson for Honda Racing Corporation, explained, “Our investment in motorsport, especially Formula 1, is a strategic investment to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Honda’s four-wheel business. These technologies and skills directly support our future automobile business. Through engineer rotation between motorsport, mass production, and advanced development, we ensure this knowledge is returned to the wider organisation. Ultimately, investment in racing is about developing technology, people, and brand—to create future value of Honda.”
The ‘Mega Engine’ Proposal
A full V8 return faces hurdles due to sunk investments, but compromise ideas emerge. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff supports exploring V8s while retaining relevance. “Long term, I think from a Mercedes standpoint we are open to engine regulations,” he said. “We love V8s. That has only great memories. From our perspective, it’s a real Mercedes engine; it revs high.”
Wolff proposed a “mega engine”: 800 brake horsepower from combustion plus 400bhp electric. “And then how do we make it? How do we give enough energy from the battery side to not lose connection to the real world?” he asked. “If we swing 100 per cent combustion, then we’re looking a bit ridiculous in 2031 or 2030. So we need to consider that. Make it simpler and make it a mega engine.”
“We recognise the financial realities of [manufacturers] these days … but if it’s well-planned and executed, then we, Mercedes, count us in to come back with a real racing engine.”
V8 nostalgia fuels the debate, with the FIA signaling strong intent and manufacturers showing openness. Discussions on F1’s engine future will intensify in coming years.
