Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff confirmed Formula 1 engine manufacturers are aligned on a future return to V8 power units. However, they rejected FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s proposal to introduce them in 2029. Teams and manufacturers feel it makes no financial sense to fast-track the switch before 2031.
FIA Push for 2029 Timeline Stalls
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem pushed for simpler and lighter V8 engines to arrive in 2029. That would have meant only three seasons of the new 2026 hybrid units. But during the Italian Grand Prix weekend, Ben Sulayem postponed a planned London meeting after realizing manufacturers lacked support for his timeline.
The governance structure requires approval from the FIA, Formula 1 Management, and a majority of engine manufacturers. Audi and Honda strongly opposed an early change, citing their major investments in the 2026–2030 hybrid rules.
Mercedes and Ferrari Open to Compromise
Mercedes and Ferrari showed some willingness to consider a 2030 switch but not before. Toto Wolff stressed avoiding double spending.
“We are all sharing the objective to have the best possible, spectacular regulations to attract fan interest,” Wolff said. “In the end the V8 was the best consensus and had a naturally aspirated [high] revving [engine] with an energy recovery system that is still a performance differentiator. And all of that is pretty aligned with a sustainable fuel.
“And most of the OEMs said: ‘We don’t want to run a dual-cost programme, because it would mean we need to develop a new engine in two years.’ We didn’t want that.”
Wolff highlighted that Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull-Ford, Audi, Honda, and Cadillac agreed on the long-term direction.
“Now it’s about dialogue with Mohammed Ben Sulayem and with [F1 CEO] Stefano [Domenicali]. What are their expectations? And then getting all the OEMs, all the engine manufacturers at the table and say ‘what are we doing now?’ But there is an alignment of interest I would say. It’s really good conversations that we are having now. Very balanced and rational.”
Ferrari Stresses Patience
Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur echoed Wolff’s caution, saying there was no rush to decide.
“We have discussions because it’s not an easy choice,” Vasseur said. “We can find quite soon a common project, but we are not in a rush to take a decision today or tomorrow. Tomorrow at the factory everybody is focused on 2026.
“We have a couple of items where we can find a deal between all the PU manufacturers, the FIA and Formula 1. I think this is for the benefit of F1. It makes sense to discuss and to find this kind of deal.”
Audi Holds Firm on Hybrid Commitment
Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley, representing Audi ahead of its 2026 entry, reaffirmed Audi’s stance.
“Fundamentally there were three pillars that Audi set their entrance into Formula 1 on,” Wheatley said. “One was a highly efficient engine, another one was advanced hybrid technology and sustainable fuels.
“I don’t think our position has changed on that. As far as I know, we’re going to stay in that position for a very long time.”
The FIA’s push for a 2029 V8 engine return met resistance due to cost and investment cycles. But Mercedes, Ferrari, and other manufacturers remain committed to bringing back V8s under sustainable fuels in 2031. The next step will be further dialogue with the FIA and F1 leadership.
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