Ben Sulayem Says V8 With Minimal Electrification Will Replace Current 50-50 Hybrid V6 And FIA Can Force The Switch For 2031 Unilaterally If Manufacturers Fail To Reach Super-Majority By 2030
According to Reuters, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed at the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, 2026 that Formula One will return to V8 engines by 2031 and possibly as early as 2030, ditching the current generation of V6 turbo-hybrid power units introduced this season.
“It’s coming. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of time,” said Ben Sulayem, speaking in Miami. “In 2031, the V8, the FIA will have the power to do it, without any votes from the PUMs (Power Unit Manufacturers). But we want to bring it one year earlier, which everyone now is asking for.”
Under the regulations, a 2030 change requires a super-majority of four of the six current manufacturers — Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull (Ford), Honda, Audi and General Motors/Cadillac — to approve. If that threshold is not met, the FIA can unilaterally implement the V8 for 2031. Ben Sulayem confirmed the V8 will carry “very minimal” electrification, far removed from the current near-equal 50-50 split.
The timing is telling. The 2026 regulations have faced sustained criticism over “superclipping”; an involuntary slowdown caused by energy harvesting on full throttle which has dominated the opening weeks of the season.
The V8 era (2006–2013) remains the most popular by fan sentiment. Formula One is circling back to what worked. Check out our previous coverage of motorsport on The Trusted Times.
