“I hope that by 2030 another possibility can open up, perhaps with the arrival of V8 engines. I have no idea what will happen, but my future will depend on the direction F1 wants to take“. This is how Max Verstappen justified one of the reasons for his choice to renew with Red Bull until 2030. A non-random date, which represents the possible crossroads for a return to predominantly thermal engines after the long parenthesis of hybrid power units.
V8 Engines as a Response to Current Dissatisfaction
It is undeniable that the path taken in 2026, a utopian pursuit towards an engine equally divided between thermal and electric, continues to generate discontent in the F1 environment. Many of the “defense lawyers” of this regulation (see Toto Wolff) now seem to be joining those who want to move on already, even after the improvement interventions already planned for the next two years.
In recent days Stefano Domenicali confirmed the unanimous intention to converge towards new V8 engines, still partly powered by an electric source but to a significantly lesser extent than those of the power unit era.
Discussions are already underway, we already knew that, but there is more: the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has given certain guarantees that in the short term a meeting point will be reached both on technical issues and on timing.
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“V8 engines are coming. And they will come soon” – Sulayem declared to MediaTuerca – I have decided that we will move forward with V8 engines and it will be so. We need them for many reasons: it costs less, it sounds good, it is lighter and less complex. And that is exactly what we need.”
“Simplicity is good for business and motorsport. Simplicity and innovation, that is exactly what we are doing. And now I can promise you: V8 engines will come“ Sulayem concluded.
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