The FIA is organizing a meeting to discuss V8 engines.
Power unit manufacturers are preparing for an important meeting with the FIA that will take place after the Italian Grand Prix. The main topic of the talks scheduled for 11 September is the return to Formula 1 of naturally aspirated V8 engines running on fully sustainable fuel.
According to The Race, it concerns a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated engine with a simplified Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). Such a "formula" would reduce the electrical component of the power unit from 50% in 2026 to 10%.
In addition, the switch to V8s would generate significant savings — teams' spending on these power units would be reduced to 65% compared with the 2026-spec power units, and the reduction in the race car's weight would be around 80 kg.
It is believed that the main debates at the upcoming meeting will revolve around the timing of the switch to naturally aspirated engines. Under current plans, the 2026-spec power units are to be used through 2030 inclusive, however FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem believes that the sooner Formula 1 switches to V8s the better, and proposes doing so as early as 2029.
However, some manufacturers oppose this, because a switch in 2029 would require a complete revision of the chassis regulations just a few years after the radical changes in 2026.
Meanwhile, Formula 1's president and CEO Stefano Domenicali supports the move to naturally aspirated engines: "Sustainable fuel and V8s are a great idea. I am sure that hybrid power units are the next step. But I don't want to divert attention away from the 2026 generation right now, because it would be wrong of me to do so. Let's focus on what awaits us in the next few years. But I agree that the V8 could be our future."
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The FIA is organizing a meeting to discuss V8 engines.
Power unit manufacturers are preparing for an important meeting with the FIA, which will take place after the Italian Grand Prix.