Mercedes driver George Russell has voiced strong support for Formula 1’s potential return to V8 engines when the sport’s next major regulatory overhaul takes effect in 2031. The 28-year-old British driver, currently sitting second in the championship behind teammate Kimi Antonelli, believes the move would represent a positive step forward for the sport alongside efforts to reduce car weight significantly.
Despite defending this season’s controversial regulation changes as “good” and praising the FIA for addressing various “quirks” in the current ruleset, Russell acknowledges areas for improvement in future cycles. “Going back to V8, I think that would obviously be pretty cool,” Russell explained, while also emphasizing the importance of sustainable fuel development and creating lighter racing machines to enhance wheel-to-wheel combat and overtaking opportunities.
The current season’s regulatory tweaks have faced criticism from several drivers, most notably Max Verstappen, who dismissed recent amendments made before the Miami Grand Prix as merely a “tickle” rather than meaningful change. Verstappen argued the modifications don’t address the fundamental issues needed to allow drivers to race “flat out,” highlighting ongoing concerns about the sport’s direction under the current technical framework.
Russell’s comments align with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s advocacy for returning to V8 engines after the sport has utilized V6 power units since 2014. Ben Sulayem has indicated the governing body will have the authority to implement this change in 2031 without requiring unanimous approval from power unit manufacturers, though he has expressed interest in accelerating the timeline by one year if possible.
The Mercedes driver emphasized the need to balance nostalgia with modern racing quality, noting that while the early 2000s produced “the coolest cars we ever saw at Formula 1,” those eras suffered from limited overtaking opportunities. Russell stressed the importance of maintaining the current improvements in close racing while addressing weight concerns and engine configuration for the sport’s next evolutionary phase.