News Summary
- Max Verstappen said F1’s next-generation engine “has to be a V8” because of the difference in drivability compared with the current hybrid power units.
- The Red Bull driver also called for smaller, lighter cars and a much more limited role for the battery in normal performance.
- Verstappen has repeatedly criticized the 2026 regulations and previously identified a potential V8 comeback as one reason he could remain in F1 beyond his current Red Bull contract.
Max Verstappen has once again launched a strong criticism of Formula 1’s 2026 regulations, arguing that the next engine generation should bring back V8 power units because of the driving experience they provide.
The four-time world champion said the sport should look to the past when shaping its next technical cycle, including by making the cars smaller and lighter. He also argued that the battery should play a much more limited role in the performance of the car.
Since the start of the 2026 season, Verstappen has been one of the most vocal critics of the new regulations, which introduced an almost equal split between internal-combustion and electric power. The system has forced drivers to manage energy in ways that can include techniques such as lift-and-coast and “super clipping” during races.
Verstappen previously went as far as describing the current regulations as “Formula E with steroids”.
The FIA has already introduced adjustments to the 2026 rules, while further changes to the balance between combustion and electric power are planned for 2027 and 2028. The longer-term possibility of returning to a V8 engine has also gained support from several major figures in the paddock, including F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
Verstappen has previously said that the possibility of V8 engines returning was one factor that made him more willing to remain in F1 beyond the current technical cycle. He eventually signed a new Red Bull contract through 2030.
Verstappen wants V8 engines back
Speaking to the BBC, Verstappen was unequivocal when asked about the type of engine he would like to see under the next set of regulations.
“It has to go back to a V8, just for drivability. When you drive the old cars, you can’t imagine the difference in engine response or the drivability they provide. And how terrible or horrible it actually is now compared with simply having a V8,” Verstappen said.
“It’s also horrible in terms of the feeling compared with a V8. The V8 is so much better. It’s much more loose, much lighter. The cars are too heavy nowadays,” he added.
Verstappen believes the ideal solution would be a smaller, lighter V8 combined with a significantly reduced battery.
“It would be better to simply have a smaller and much lighter V8 engine. The idea would be to limit the size of the battery, maybe something like a battery for push-to-pass. But it shouldn’t be part of the normal running of the car or be used to gain performance continuously,” the Dutchman explained.
Verstappen also wants to remove the turbo
The Red Bull driver went further by suggesting that the future engine should not use a turbocharger, arguing that turbocharging compromises the immediate response of the power unit.
“I would also say no turbo, because that introduces turbo lag,” Verstappen said, referring to the delay between the driver applying the throttle and the engine delivering its full torque.
The comments fit into a broader criticism Verstappen has made of the current hybrid formula. He has argued that drivers should be able to focus more on pushing the car rather than constantly managing energy deployment and recovery.
Despite his frustration with the current rules, Verstappen acknowledged that his results in previous seasons helped him maintain his enthusiasm for F1.
“I was lucky that the previous years were reasonably good. It just wasn’t how I would have liked it in terms of the battery. But it’s about the emotion that the V8s and V10s provided back then, when I was a kid. You were walking around, you heard those cars going out on track and you got goosebumps,” he recalled.
“It’s on another level”
For Verstappen, the appeal of older F1 engines goes beyond outright performance.
The Dutchman acknowledged that modern cars can reach significantly higher speeds, but argued that top speed alone does not define the driving experience.
“Even if the cars now reach 350, 360 km/h, compared with 300 km/h before, it doesn’t matter. What matters is the emotion of the sound of those cars, the vibration. It’s simply on another level. And I really hope that comes back,” Verstappen concluded.
A return to V8 engines remains a proposal for the post-2030 era rather than an established regulation. The FIA and manufacturers still have to agree on the technical framework, while the current 2026 power-unit cycle remains in place. Several manufacturers have nevertheless shown openness to discussions about a future V8 concept.
For Verstappen, the issue is particularly relevant to his long-term relationship with Formula 1. He previously admitted that he came closer to retiring than changing teams before signing his Red Bull extension, while also leaving the door open to reconsidering his future if V8 engines eventually return.
Formula 1 returns this weekend, from September 11-13, for the Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid’s new MADRING street circuit. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action from the 14th round of the 2026 season.
FAQ
When could V8 engines return to Formula 1?
A V8 return is being discussed for the post-2030 regulatory cycle, with 2030 or 2031 among the potential timelines. No final regulation has been approved yet.
Why does Max Verstappen want V8 engines back?
Verstappen believes V8 engines provide a better driving experience because they are lighter, more responsive and produce more of the sound and vibration he associates with F1. He also wants the cars themselves to become smaller and lighter.
Will Max Verstappen stay in F1 beyond 2030?
Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull through 2030. He has previously said that a return to V8 engines could make him more interested in continuing in F1 beyond the end of his current deal.
