FIA president says F1 V8 return is coming by 2031

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said during the Miami Grand Prix weekend that Formula 1 will return to V8 engines, with 2031 set as the latest possible date and 2030 still on the table.

Reuters reported that Ben Sulayem said the FIA can impose the change in 2031 without needing a vote from manufacturers. Other outlets said he is pushing for an earlier 2030 switch if teams and engine makers agree.

The remarks add fresh momentum to the debate over Formula 1’s future power units, as the sport moves through its current hybrid era.

What Ben Sulayem said

Ben Sulayem framed the current direction of F1 as too complex and expensive, and indicated that the series should move back toward simpler V8 engines.

The reports do not describe any formal rule change yet. They do, however, suggest the FIA president is trying to set a clearer timeline for the next engine cycle.

Why it matters

A return to V8 engines would mark a major shift in Formula 1 technology and could reshape the sport’s cost structure and manufacturer politics. The key near-term question is whether an earlier 2030 switch can win support, or whether the FIA will wait until 2031 to act on its own.