Discussions have begun regarding the engine for F1 in the 2031 season, and the FIA would like to conclude them within a few months. This time, engine manufacturers are not expected to have the decisive voice, and Formula 1 is aiming for a simpler, lighter, and cheaper power unit.
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The German Auto Motor und Sport has provided new information about the started talks concerning the Formula 1 engine, which is planned to be introduced in 2031. The discussions are currently preliminary, but the FIA plans to make final decisions this year to give manufacturers time to prepare. In the case of power units, decisions are always made well in advance. I remind you that the engine regulations for the 2026 season were confirmed in August 2022, and the first talks on this matter began in 2018. At that time, there were significant delays due to the coronavirus pandemic; the engines were originally supposed to appear earlier. The regulations for the 2031 season must be approved by 2027 at the latest, but their general outline must be known this year so that manufacturers can start initial conceptual work (later some journalists will typically say that someone knew earlier and worked before the regulations were approved, and this is normal practice).
Discussions have begun regarding the engine for F1 in the 2031 season
According to AMuS information and recent statements by Nikolas Tombazis from the FIA, the situation has changed significantly in the automotive world and in the sport itself. In previous arrangements, the decisive voice was that of engine manufacturers because F1 and the FIA wanted to encourage additional companies to enter F1 (this succeeded with Honda, Audi, and Red Bull Ford). At that time, the situation in road automotive was different; car manufacturers were preparing for full electrification and expected to stop producing combustion engines altogether soon. That is why the 2026 regulations look the way they do, as they had to reconcile the expectations of automotive groups. Currently, if we believe Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s approach is different. Electrification of road cars has slowed down, and manufacturers have changed priorities. An important change for F1 was the introduction of sustainable fuels, which changes the situation. Tombazis claims that with the next regulations, they cannot rely so much on trends prevailing in road automotive, and engine manufacturers cannot dictate regulations to Formula 1. F1 must be resilient if some manufacturers decide to leave.
FIA, F1, teams, and manufacturers started talks in 2025, when for a while there was consideration of introducing new engines earlier, in 2029 or 2030. The idea was effectively blocked, mainly by Audi and Honda, who invested heavily in returning to F1 and did not want to invest again. As we know from last year, the whole idea was mainly a political game by the FIA president, who wanted to boost his ratings by suggesting the rapid introduction of V10 or V8 engines to F1. It was unrealistic from the start. Each manufacturer invested about half a billion dollars in the 2026 engine project and will invest another half billion over the next five years of the current regulations. Regulations must function for five years for these investments to make sense.
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The FIA would like to establish general rules regarding the engine format for the 2031 season before this year’s summer break. Then they would prepare full regulations so that manufacturers have as much time as possible for work. Jan Monchaux from the FIA announces that expectations indicate that the next engines must be cheaper to develop and produce, as well as simpler in design. According to AMuS, the first considered concept was turbocharged V8 combustion engines with a standard MGU-K system offering less electric power than currently. I mentioned such an idea already in September 2025 on the blog. However, talks are ongoing, and it is unknown which specific format will be chosen. This time, the FIA is not expected to act in a way that satisfies all interested parties.
Summary
Regarding F1 engines, there has been one key issue for many years: do we focus solely on sport, or do we want major automotive brands to be present in F1? With the first option, a simpler engine can be designed, which small companies like Cosworth could build independently. Then even McLaren or Aston Martin could prepare engines with their factory resources. On the other hand, such regulations carry a very high risk that Audi and Honda would withdraw, and it is hard to say what Mercedes would do then. In the 21st century, the presence of large automotive groups has always been very important for all of F1, and the departures of Toyota, Honda, or BMW were always felt. In my opinion, F1 is currently at such a financial and marketing level that it does not need such brands. F1 teams are popular and wealthy enough.
What exactly the engine from 2031 would be is largely an open question. There will certainly be many proposals. In my opinion, a V8 engine concept (without turbo) with a strong MGU-K system would maintain power at the current level, while such an engine would be lighter and simpler in design. I will always be against V10s because such engines are large in size and weight, and additionally require more fuel, which translates into the size of tanks and the weight of F1 cars at the start of races.
