F1 could return to naturally aspirated V8s by 2029, says Ben Sulayem
The sport is entering a new engine era next season, but the head of the governing body suggested last February that a return to the naturally aspirated V8s or V10s was being considered after that.
The V8 engines were last used in 2013 before the 1.6l turbocharged V6 units.
"The engine is so complicated, you have no idea, and it is costly," Ben Sulayem told reporters at the weekend's British Grand Prix.
"R&D is reaching $200m (R3,562,554,000), and the engine is costing about $1.8m (R32m) to $2.1m (R37.4m), so if we go with a straight V8, let's see.
"Many manufacturers produce V8s in their cars, so commercially it's correct. How much is it? You drop it. The target is more than 50% in everything."
Ben Sulayem said the V8 engine would also have significant weight advantages and the sound would be welcomed by nostalgic fans and the new generation.
"To us, the V8 is happening. With the teams, I'm very optimistic and happy about it. FOM (Formula One Management) are supportive, the teams are realising it is the right way," he said.
"We need to do it soon. You need three years, so hopefully by 2029 we have something there, but the fuel is also very expensive, and we have to be very careful with that. Transmissions are very expensive."
Ben Sulayem also spoke about the possibility of a Chinese team filling the final 12th slot, something he has mentioned before, and said he felt the sport needed more cars rather than more races.
"The time will come when we feel it is right to open an expression of interest," he said about filling the 12th slot.
"We are not here to upset other teams. It won't be go and do it for the sake of doing it. It has to be worth it for us. The team has to add value to sustaining the business of Formula One."
General Motors' Cadillac brand is due to become the 11th team next season, a slot won after initial resistance from the other teams and Liberty Media-owned Formula One.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
BRICS' criticism brings Trump 10% tariff threat
General view during a plenary session of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 7, 2025. BRICS leaders at a summit on Sunday took aim at US President Donald Trump's "indiscriminate" import tariffs and recent Israeli-US strikes on Iran. Image: Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP US President Donald Trump threatened China, India, and some of the world's fastest-emerging economies with higher import tariffs, hitting back at BRICS' criticism of his trade policies as the bloc meets Monday. The 11-nation grouping - which also includes US allies Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia - is concluding a two-day summit in Rio de Janeiro. On Sunday, BRICS leaders described Trump's stop-start tariff wars as "indiscriminate", damaging, and illegal, drawing a quick rebuke from the pugilistic US president. "Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy," Trump wrote on social media. BRICS members account for about half the world's population and 40% of global economic output. Conceived two decades ago as a forum for fast-growing economies, the BRICS have come to be seen as a Chinese-driven counterbalance to US influence. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ But it is an expanding and often divergent grouping - bringing together arch US foes like Iran and Russia, with some of Washington's closest allies in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Some US allies inside the bloc had tried to blunt criticism by not mentioning Trump by name in their summit statement. Saudi Arabia - one of the world's biggest purchasers of US high-tech weapons - even kept its foreign minister away from Sunday's talks and a BRICS "family photo" of leaders, seemingly to avoid Washington's ire. But such diplomatic gestures were lost on the US president. In April, Trump threatened a slew of punitive duties, before backing off in the face of a fierce market sell-off. Now he is threatening to impose unilateral levies on trading partners unless they reach "deals" by August 1, with BRICS nations seemingly getting higher tariffs than planned. It cannot have helped that BRICS leaders also condemned the recent US and Israeli bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities - a show of solidarity with fellow member Iran. Beijing on Monday insisted BRICS was not seeking confrontation with the United States. "China has repeatedly stated its position that trade and tariff wars have no winners and protectionism offers no way forward," foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. Beijing also defended the bloc as "an important platform for cooperation between emerging markets and developing countries". "It advocates openness, inclusivity, and win-win cooperation," Mao said. "It does not engage in camp confrontation and is not targeted at any country," she said. The political punch of this year's summit has been depleted by the absence of China's Xi Jinping, who skipped the meeting for the first time in his 12 years as president.
TimesLIVE
8 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Grant suspensions leave elderly struggling in eligibility review
One of thousands of social grant beneficiaries who did not receive their July old age grant says her payout was suspended because her daughter sent her R3,200 to buy medication in June. Rudy Leray, 60, said she received her first social grant in April but her profile was blocked and now has to undergo review because she received financial assistance from her daughter. The SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) said at least 210,000 beneficiaries were flagged to be active in the labour market. Spokesperson Andile Tshona said they initiated the delayed payments because they want to root out corruption and ensure that grants are going to the right beneficiaries. 'Sassa has flagged some beneficiaries who could have additional sources of income that were not disclosed. In this case they are working or have businesses while they also receive grants,' said Tshona. 'Beneficiaries are obliged to disclose changes in their financial circumstances at the time of application for grants or if their situation changes afterwards.'
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
Hint for South Africa? Sporty Mahindra XUV 3X0 debuts in India
Official images showing a Cape Town numberplate has ignited speculation of the REVX possibly coming to South Africa at some stage. Giveaway of the XUV 3X0 possibly being earmarked for South Africa is the CAA numberplate. Image: Mahindra India A smash-hit local success since its arrival last year, Mahindra has debuted a new colour edition of the XUV 3X0 in India, possibly also coming to South Africa based on a clear hint in the provided press images. Splash of colour Called REVX, the special edition not only gains a series of exterior additions, but two new trim grades not available on the standard XUV 3X0. ALSO READ: Mahindra XUV 3X0 shows why the Chinese should be worried Aesthetically, the REVX's easy-to-spot inclusions comprise a body-coloured grille panel, still with chrome slats, a dual-tone roof, black wheels covers, standard LED headlights across all variants, and REVX badges on bootlid and C-pillar. On the colour front, five hues have been allocated, with three being contrasted by black roof, Everest White, Galaxy Grey and Tango Red. Opting for Stealth Black or Nebula Black brings a Calvano Grey roof. Spec Inside, all REVX models receive a dual-tone black-and-grey interior with leatherette upholstered seats, the 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry, a muti-function steering wheel, front and rear armrests, six airbags, rear air-conditioning vents, type-A and type-C USB ports, and Electronic Stability Control. For the entry-level M, the REVX rides on 16-inch steel wheels with black covers, with the audio system having four-speakers. A sunroof is optional. Stepping up to the REVX A brings 16-inch alloy wheels, the mentioned sunroof, a wireless smartphone charger, the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, reverse camera, leather-covered steering wheel, a tyre pressure monitor and a six-speaker sound system. Petrol only Up front, the REVX is exclusively motivated by the turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder mStallion petrol engine, albeit in two states of tune. In the M, the unit develops 82kW/200Nm and is solely connected to a six-speed manual gearbox. For the A, outputs increase to 96kW/230Nm mated to either the manual or a six-speed automatic 'box. Watch this space Starting at Rs 894 000 (R185 518) for the M and rising to Rs 1 179 000 (R244 659) for the A and to Rs 1 299 000 (R269 561) for the A equipped with the automatic transmission, the XUV 3X0 REVX, although exclusive to India for now, could well be considered for South Africa based on the mentioned press images showing a Cape Town numberplate where the photoshoot took place. For now, an official confirmation from Mahindra South Africa is outstanding. As a reference, the XUV 3X0 range spans nine models, all powered by the lesser mStallion petrol, and priced from R259 999 for the entry-level MX2 to R404 999 for the flagship AX7L automatic. NOW READ: Dramatic Mahindra XUV 3X0 priced as brand's smallest new SUV
