Will F1 return to the future with V8 engines?

In general, manufacturers are not opposed to the idea of ​​engine changes, or the principle of switching to a V8.

This is important, because Ben Sulaym was far from the builders When he last tried to switch to a naturally aspirated engine, a V10, A little over a year ago.

There is also general agreement on the need to reduce costs after the cost of developing sophisticated engines.

But there was no agreement on exactly what the engine architecture would look like.

Mercedes said they were “open” to talks and their F1 boss Toto Wolff said in Miami that they “like V8s”.

But Wolf added: “How do we power it enough battery-wise to not lose touch with the real world? Because if we swing to 100% combustion, we might look a little ridiculous in 2031 or 2030. So we should consider that, make it simpler and make it a better engine.”

Honda told BBC Sport in a statement that returning to V8s “we should discuss in a healthy way, with the FIA ​​and stakeholders, to ensure it is for the benefit of the fans”.

In his Car and Driver interview, Ben Sulayem mentions an engine between 2.6 and three liters, with electrical components providing 10% of the total power. Some insiders say he’d actually prefer 5% or even zero electricity, but know that won’t fly.

F1 boss Stefano Domenicali is also open to a V8, but at the same time he has spoken enthusiastically about the new style of back-to-back – or “yo-yo racing” – created by this year’s engine. And it has come because of the increase in electrification. Remove it, and all the levers F1 needs to continue this style of racing will disappear.

Equally, Mercedes driver George Russell pointed out that F1 was 20 years ago – the time of naturally aspirated engines – “Arguably the purest Formula 1 we’ve ever seen, but the racing was dull”.

In practice, a figure of 30% electric power region is considered by some to be more realistic as a compromise.

And should the engine have a turbo? Audi, for one, is said to want that.

Honda said: “Regardless of the turbo or hybrid application or power-unit configuration, we consider F1 to be a very necessary technical challenge.”

A turbo engine is not only arguably more road-relevant, but also more efficient than a naturally aspirated engine, meaning less fuel, even if the turbos and their associated architecture are heavy and complex. It is also less loud.

While the initial discussions on the matter are ongoing, the real conversation can only begin once the FIA ​​presents a blueprint for a proposal.

But given the time it usually takes to prepare for new engine rules – the current ones started in 2020-21, for example – this should happen very soon.