F1 chief confirms major change to sport that fans have wanted for years

FIA president Mohammed Ben ‌Sulayem has confirmed a major change to Formula One with the return of V8 engines in the future.

A raft of new regulations were brought in for the 2026 season and have not gone down well, with plenty of drivers unhappy with the significant battery changes and power units.

Fans are also less than thrilled, believing the alterations have made the sport worse and less watchable.

However, in news that will prove popular, Ben ‌Sulayem has announced that V8 engines will be making a comeback by 2031 at the very latest.

He stressed that the simpler and more straightforward V8 is "coming" and if it doesn't happen sooner, FIA will have the power to implement the change without needing a majority vote of four out of six PUMs in 2031.

Speaking from his office at the Miami Grand Prix, he said: "It's coming. 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.

"The mission will be less complicated. 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,"

The current engines are V6 hybrids - split 50-50 between electricity and combustion power but have led to a multitude of complaints from drivers, who even have fears about safety as well as performance-related issues.

The rules were altered for the Miami GP following the extended break due to two Grands Prix being cancelled amid the conflict in the Middle East.