FIA president Ben Sulayem says F1 will switch to V8 engines in 2030, a year earlier than his previous target
Speaking at the African Grand Prix launch in Kigali, Mohammed Ben Sulayem said F1 will race V8s from 2030, with lighter cars and cheaper engines, though no rules have been published yet.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem says Formula 1 will race with V8 engines again from 2030, one year earlier than the 2031 target he had spoken about before. He made the comments on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, during a panel at the launch of the African Grand Prix in Kigali, Rwanda. Neither the FIA nor F1 has published regulations to back the claim yet, so for now the date is a stated aim rather than a signed-off rule.
What Ben Sulayem said
Sitting alongside F1 boss Stefano Domenicali and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Ben Sulayem said the V8 will arrive in 2030 and suggested it could make its debut at the first race in Rwanda. He set out three targets for the new formula:
- Cars around 80kg lighter than today's machines.
- At least 50% lower spending on engine research and development.
- A better sound for fans, saying "it's about the sound, not the noise."
He said he has support from Formula One Management, and that 2031 remains a fallback option if 2030 cannot be achieved. He added that the final call rests with the FIA.
Why the V8 debate has returned
The current power units were introduced at the start of the 2026 season. They split output almost evenly between the combustion engine and the electrical system, a much heavier reliance on battery power than before. The rules were designed partly to attract new manufacturers, but they have been criticised by drivers including Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris for forcing heavy energy management during races.
The FIA has already moved to rebalance the formula. Changes approved for 2027 and 2028 will shift more output back towards the combustion engine, but a full switch to V8s would be a much bigger change.
V8 engines were last used in F1 between 2006 and 2013, before the turbo-hybrid V6 era began in 2014. Many fans still associate that period with louder, simpler racing cars.
Big questions still open
Several key details have not been announced. There is no public word yet on whether the V8 would be turbocharged, how much hybrid support it would keep, what fuel it would run on, or what minimum car weight would apply. The 80kg weight saving and 50% cost reduction are Ben Sulayem's targets and do not yet appear in any rulebook.
Timing is also tight. Engine manufacturers typically need several years to design, test and build a new power unit, so a 2030 start would require the rules to be agreed soon. A 2030 V8 would also mean the current engine formula lasts only four seasons, shorter than the usual cycle.
The Rwanda link is not certain either. The African Grand Prix will join the calendar once its new circuit in Bugesera is complete, which F1 says is expected in the early 2030s, with no exact year given.
What it means for fans in Malaysia and SEA
For now, nothing changes on track. The 2026 cars continue at the United States Grand Prix in Austin from 23 to 25 October, with the race starting at 4am Malaysia time on Monday, 26 October. Any move to V8s would affect the cars fans see from the end of this decade, assuming the FIA, F1 and manufacturers can agree the details in time.
Key takeaways
- Ben Sulayem says F1 will race V8 engines from 2030, earlier than his previous 2031 target.
- He targets cars about 80kg lighter and at least 50% lower engine R&D costs.
- He said 2031 remains a fallback if 2030 is not possible.
- No V8 regulations have been published, and key technical details are unknown.
- The current 2026 power units are already being rebalanced towards combustion for 2027 and 2028.
FAQ
Is the V8 return officially confirmed in F1's rules? Not yet. Ben Sulayem has stated the 2030 target, but no regulations have been published.
When did F1 last use V8 engines? F1 used 2.4-litre V8 engines from 2006 to 2013, before switching to turbo-hybrid V6 power units in 2014.
Will the first Rwanda race use the new V8? Ben Sulayem suggested it could, but the race date is not set and F1's official announcement only says the early 2030s.
Sources: RacingNews365, PlanetF1, Motorsport Week, Yahoo Sports