FIA reveals plan for independent 2031 V8 engine supplier
Formula 1's next engine era won't just be smaller and louder. It could mean one FIA-picked supplier for every customer team, Mohammed Ben Sulayem reveals.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has revealed fresh details of Formula 1's planned post-2030 engine formula, including the possibility of an independent supplier for customer teams.
Amid widespread criticism of the all-new 2026 regulations, Formula 1 is already working on a simpler, lighter and less expensive engine formula for 2031 centred on V8 power.
Ben Sulayem has repeatedly indicated the next generation of engines will retain only a limited hybrid element while dramatically reducing cost, weight and complexity whilst adding noise.
Now, the FIA president says customer teams could also be supplied by an independent manufacturer selected by the governing body.
"There will be no control over the teams, over Team A versus Team B, which receives the engines," Ben Sulayem said during a roundtable with British media at Silverstone.
"If it's economically viable, we'll have one engine for all the B teams, so no one can leverage them and say, 'Vote this way, otherwise we won't give you a good engine'."
"It will be an engine selected by the FIA that will be allowed to the teams."
The proposal would reduce manufacturers' influence over customer teams while giving independents an alternative to traditional supply agreements.
Ben Sulayem believes the new formula could cut research and development costs by as much as 50 percent while also reducing car weight by around 100 kilograms.
The FIA is also studying whether refuelling should return alongside the new engine regulations, although Ben Sulayem acknowledged the financial and logistical implications still need to be assessed.
"It's not a problem if it's done right," he said.
"We're studying the issue, and so far nothing has been done."
F1 2031 engine formula snapshot
| Target introduction | 2031 |
|---|---|
| Engine type | V8, limited hybrid element |
| Cost-cut target | Up to 50% |
| Weight reduction target | Approx. 100kg |
Related: Ben Sulayem champions lighter V8 F1 cars for post-2030 era
4 F1 Fan comments on “FIA reveals plan for independent 2031 V8 engine supplier”
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I'm indifferent about customer powertrains, but no to in-race refuelling as it was detrimental to on-track overtaking.
Seems to be another Sulayen power grab. He'll then hold the power of the customer teams telling them how to vote instead!
Refuelling added a huge amount of strategy into the mix and great from one point of view. Pit-lane fires and fuel hoses stuck to cars was too much though, in the name of safety please no more refuelling.
Ideas in F1 like every other business just get recycled, if youve followed f1 long enough you know that
I like refuelling. Bring it back and get rid of forcing teams to use multiple tyre compounds. Pirelli seems to choose tyres that are too soft for some GPs, so that the "soft" is essentially useless, further limiting tyre options and adding to "the show".
I see no point in "racing" in cars that are heavy with fuel. If a team has tyre degradation problems, they can always run a lighter car and refuel more often. The way refuelling is done can be looked at; I expect this might make pit stops take 7 - 10 seconds, possibly more if cost is considered. All the more reason to do it: a team can start the race on a full car if they think that is a more optimal strategy.