Exclusive: Toto Wolff declares 'purist' support for V8 engine overhaul

Toto Wolff has offered his support for F1's return to V8 engines in its next rules cycle, declaring that "as a purist, I like it."

For grand prix racing's next regulatory cycle, in either 2030 or 2031, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has declared his intention to bring back V8 engines and end the turbo-hybrid era, which began in 2014, and under which Wolff's Mercedes has won 126 races, eight constructors' and seven drivers' crowns - and looks set to add to those title tallies in 2026.

The push towards V8 engines would include greater reliance on the ICE to produce power, with some sort of battery power still applicable, akin to the old KERS systems in 2009, and 2011-2013, but to a greater extent. 

It is a direction that racing "purist" Wolff believes is the right one for grand prix racing to go. 

"I'm talking with [FIA] president [Mohammed Ben Sulayem], and I'm talking to [F1 president and CEO] Stefano [Domenicali], and to the other engine manufacturers," Wolff exclusively told RacingNews365. 

"These engines at the moment are so complex, and we're starting to get our heads around it because they've changed the racing; some like the Sundays and the racing because there are a lot of overtakes, others don't like it, but the drivers who are most adaptable win.

"I can't stand the cars revving on the grid before the start for 10 seconds; it sounds like a fire alarm.

"Look at Lewis [Hamilton], he's changed, and his performance has changed massively; Kimi [Antonelli] is doing very well, and others have had to adapt.

"Mid-to-long-term, and speaking on the horizon of three to four years as it stands at the moment, we will go back to a combustion engine, which is more than 50% of the performance.

"Ben Sulayem wants an eight-cylinder V8, which is a good sound, and a more limited battery. I think it would be around 80:20 [in terms of power output between the ICE and battery], with an output of 1,000 horsepower. 

"I'm not sure if it is going to be normally aspirated or not, but I think this is where Formula 1 goes at the moment, and me as a purist, I like it."

For 2027 and 2028, F1 will move away from the 50:50 split that was a central pillar of the 2026 regulations, to an eventual 60:40 split in favour of the ICE over batteries, with this being achieved through an increase in fuel flow to the ICE.

However, Wolff explained that major engine architecture changes would have been required for an immediate jump to 60:40 for 2027. 

"We will do another year next year and then move another one, but you need to redesign the engine," he added.

"If you add more fuel flow, which is what we're doing, you have more horsepower, and then there is some hardware which you need to adapt. 

"We would have wanted 50 kilowatts more engine power for next year, but Ferrari blocked it, so we're having a step of 20 kilowatts, and then in 2028, a step of 50 kilowatts."