Formula 1 is set to abandon its current V6 hybrid power units in favor of V8 engines with significantly reduced electric assistance, according to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Speaking at the Miami Grand Prix weekend, Ben Sulayem declared that the switch to V8s is “a matter of time” and could potentially happen as early as 2030 if manufacturers provide their approval.
The current 2026 engine regulations, which feature a nearly equal split between internal combustion and electric power, have faced criticism for their complexity and negative impact on racing spectacle despite being only recently implemented. Ben Sulayem emphasized that the new V8 engines would incorporate “very, very minor electrification,” marking a dramatic shift away from the current hybrid-heavy approach that has defined F1’s power units since 2014.
“I’m positive, they want it to happen. But let’s say the manufacturers don’t approve it [for 2030]. The next year, it will happen. In 2031 it’s done anyway,” Ben Sulayem told Reuters. The FIA president believes V8 engines represent the correct direction because they provide “the sound, less complexity, [and are] lightweight” – addressing key concerns about the current power units’ weight and acoustic properties.
The proposed changes align with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali’s stated priorities of cost reduction and weight cutting for the next engine cycle. While manufacturers previously favored the 50/50 power split concept, industry sentiment has shifted as the automotive sector’s focus on electrification has evolved. Ben Sulayem’s earlier proposal for V10 engines was shelved due to manufacturer opposition, but there appears to be greater openness to reducing total electric power output in future regulations.
The new engine formula would likely feature a greater electric component than the previous V6 generation, which derived over 80 percent of its power from internal combustion, but would be much closer to that ratio than the current 2026 specifications. Ben Sulayem has outlined plans for more standardized components and sustainable fuels as key selling points for engine manufacturers, while maintaining the traditional Formula 1 sound and reducing operational complexity.