FIA eyes F1 V8 engines return by 2030

Formula 1 team principal Laurent Mekies voiced strong support for a potential return to V8 engines during the Miami Grand Prix weekend, aligning with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem's declaration that such a shift could occur as early as 2030.

Ben Sulayem stated that V8 engines, last used in the sport in 2013, would return no later than 2031, even without agreement from power unit manufacturers. He emphasized minimal electrification in the new formula, with the internal combustion engine taking the primary role, unlike the current near-equal split between combustion and electrical power. "V8 is coming," Ben Sulayem said, noting the FIA's regulatory authority to enforce changes by 2031 if needed, though he aims for 2030. He claimed manufacturers privately favor the move despite public reservations.

Mekies, speaking for Red Bull Powertrains ahead of the team's 2026 debut with its in-house Ford-developed power unit, welcomed the prospect. "As Red Bull Powertrains, we are pretty cool with it," he told reporters. "We feel we had to start from zero to go and try to deal with this power unit. And I think the starting point is decent. We are still lacking some PU performance compared...