Formula 1 Confirms V8 Power Units, Possibly By 2030

At the recent Miami Grand Prix, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed that Formula 1 would be moving away from the turbo-hybrid V6 engines by 2031. “[The change is] coming. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of time,” said Sulayem. “In ​2031, the V8, the FIA will have the power to do it, without any votes from the PUMs (Power ​Unit Manufacturers). That’s the regulations. But we want to bring it one year earlier, which everyone ⁠now is asking for.”

This comes as the FIA has had a number of controversies with the new Formula 1 engine rules already, which only went into effect at the beginning of the year. Besides the interesting rules interpretations of the internal combustion engine, there has been much backlash from both fans and drivers over the increased role the electric powerplants are now playing in the racing.

Gone are the days of having a single powerplant, or even just a simple push-to-pass electric boost available. Plus, with the increased percentage of electric power making up the total power unit output, battery mismanagement can have a much more drastic effect on the on-track action. “The mission will be less complication, not like now,” said Sulayem. “You get the sound, less complexity, lightweight. You will hear about it very soon, and it will be ​with a very, very minor electrification.”

The reason for the uncertainty of the exact date is because the 2030 date will require a supermajority of the Formula 1 power unit suppliers to agree. That would mean at least four of the six powertrain suppliers (Red Bull Ford Powertrain, Honda, Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi, and General Motors) would have to vote for the change to happen in the 2030 season. Otherwise, the regulations allow the FIA to push through the new V8 ruleset without the manufacturers’ agreement in the 2031 season. “I’m positive, they want it to happen,” Sulayem said. “But let’s say the manufacturers don’t approve it [for 2030]. The next year, it ​will happen. In 2031, it’s done anyway. It will be done. V8 is coming.”