F1 issue clear stance on return of V8 engines

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has expressed his support for the sport’s proposed return to V8 engines in the coming years.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently told select media, including RacingNews365, that he is eager to see V8 power units reintroduced for the next cycle of regulations.

Ben Sulayem’s early proposal would retain the use of sustainable fuels while bringing back engines that are louder, simpler and potentially cheaper to produce.

Several Formula 1 team principals have already indicated they would be open to a return to V8s, having last used the specification in 2013 before the start of the turbo hybrid era.

Domenicali has now confirmed he also supports the idea of his FIA counterpart.

“1,000%, I've always said so,” Domenicali told L'Équipe. 

“I fully support the vision of the FIA ​​president. With sustainable fuel, lighter cars, and V8 engines, we rediscover the pure essence of motorsport. 

“That's what I've always loved.”

Some drivers have been critical of the 2026 regulations, stating the increased role of the battery is generating artificial racing, with the driver's wheel-to-wheel skill not being tested.

But Domenicali has issued a defence of the current power units, insisting it was the desire of the teams to see such rules introduced.

“Some people - I would add, very few people - are complaining about the rules,” Domenicali said. 

“I'm simply stating a fact. We mustn't forget that these changes were necessary; otherwise, the manufacturers would no longer have supplied engines to the teams. That was their wish. That's a fact. 

“And since we didn't want to go fully electric, a compromise was found to attract new manufacturers.”