FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem reveals V8s are returning to Formula 1

This has to be the only good news about Formula 1 we received since the introduction of the woeful 2026 power unit with the 50-50 power ratio between internal combustion and electricity.

That has meant that racing has become a game of charging tactics, while outright qualifying has been relegated into an energy management exercise, as superclipping, harvesting, and lifting and coasting have become the new vocabulary of Formula 1.

While the FIA and Formula One Management have introduced changes to make the situation less bad ahead of the 2026 Miami Grand Prix, it doesn't seem that much has changed with the Sprint Race on Saturday being such a mundane exercise that we even started hoping for some yo-yo racing.

But now there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel based on what Ben Sulayem said in Miami.

The Emirati who has previously pushed for the return of naturally aspirated V10 or V8 with synthetic fuels revealed that is finally happening with the eight-pot being the choice.

"It's coming," he said. "At the end of the day, it's a matter of time. 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," he claimed.

"The mission will be less complicated, not like now," the president of F1's governing body went on. "You get the sound, less complexity, and lightweight. You will hear about it very soon, and it will be ​with a very, very minor electrification.

"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. It will be done. V8 is coming," Ben Sulayem concluded.

According to the regulations, any changes to the power unit regulations before 2031 would require the majority vote of four out of six PUMs. But in 2031, the FIA can impose the rule changes they want. (Source: Reuters)