Why the V8 could make its return to F1 as early as 2030

Introduced in 2014 Formula 1 and more electrified for the 2026 season, the V6 turbo hybrids could say goodbye by 2030, with Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, announcing that he is aiming for the return of V8 power units, whose sound is missed by many drivers and enthusiasts, by the next decade.

The V8, the engine of choice in Formula 1 since the 1960s, had a fascinating history before its demise at the end of 2013. Initially just one option among many in the early days of F1, everything changed in 1967 with the arrival of the legendary Ford-Cosworth DFV. This engine racked up 155 victories until 1983, establishing itself as a reasonably priced engine that allowed smaller teams to beat the giants of the sport. After the ban on turbocharged engines at the end of 1988, the V8 then had to coexist with V10s and V12s in a naturally aspirated 3,5-liter era, compensating for its power deficit with superior lightness and fuel efficiency.

The V8: simpler, cheaper

The V8's true heyday came between 2006 and 2013, when it became the sole standard imposed by the FIA ​​to curb the escalating performance of the older V10s. Today, the V8's return project is based on a similar philosophy of simplification.

With the return of the V8 engine planned for 2030, the FIA ​​anticipates a 65% reduction in engine costs and a 30% decrease in the budget cap with a V8 running on 100% sustainable fuel. In line with F1's "Net Zero" ambitions for 2030, such a power unit would have a carbon footprint virtually identical to that of the current V6, while offering a significantly less expensive technical solution for engine manufacturers.

Just as unforgettable as the V8s, the V10 engines debuted in 1986 with a block designed by Alfa Romeo, before becoming the absolute benchmark for the platform from 1989 onwards under the impetus of RenaultWith two more cylinders than the V8, the V10 allowed for higher engine speeds while remaining more advantageous than the often heavy and complex V12s. However, the V10 became too expensive due to the astronomical sums required to counteract the vibrations caused by engine speeds approaching 20,000 rpm. To counter the escalating costs and limit performance, the FIA ​​replaced the V10 engines with V8s in 2006.

More recently, in April 2025 at a meeting at the Bahrain GP, ​​the refusal of the majority of engine manufacturers definitively dashed hopes of a return of the V10, deemed too far removed from current industrial standards, unlike the V8 which remains a viable option.

The return of the V8?

The current hybrid era, which began in 2014, has allowed Mercedes Benz then Red Bull The dominance of the sport, which had previously been so overwhelming, is now showing its limitations. The 2026 regulations, which eliminate the MGU-H and limit hybridization to 50% of total power, have been the subject of criticism since their introduction. On some circuits, the batteries are proving unable to collect enough energy, causing a phenomenon known as "super clipping," where the driver experiences a sudden loss of power at the end of the straight. This complex energy management also creates dangerous speed differentials on the track. The return of a larger internal combustion engine, such as the V8, would therefore allow for a revision of the energy distribution, adopting an electric/thermal ratio between 10/90 and 30/70.

However, the timing raises questions. Introducing such a change as early as 2030 seems illogical, given that the 2026 regulatory cycle will end at the end of the same year. Furthermore, manufacturers are reluctant to finance two parallel investment plans. Finally, if the 2026 objective is to encourage on-track battles, the switch to V8 engines should not come at the expense of entertainment. In any case, the FIA ​​president asserts that, despite these obstacles, the roar of the V8 has never been closer to echoing through the paddocks again.

ALSO READ > Mohammed Ben Sulayem promises the return of the V8 engine to F1: "I'm aiming for 2030"