FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem says his experience as a driver, combined with a wish to give race fans what they truly want, is behind his commitment to bring back V8 engines to the FIA Formula One World Championship. He made the comments ahead of this weekend’s FIA Formula One United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, which he is attending.
In collaboration with Formula One Management (FOM), the teams and the power unit manufacturers, the FIA is pressing ahead with plans for the engine’s return. “I believe the change will be felt by everyone, from the drivers to the fans, and it will usher in a thrilling new era for Formula One as the pinnacle of global motorsport,” Ben Sulayem said.
What the FIA is targeting
The FIA President is aiming for a Formula One debut in the 2030s that includes a weight saving of approximately 80 kilogrammes, with research and development and engine costs expected to be cut by at least 50%. “Fans experience Formula One with all their senses, and the sound of a V8 is part of what first drew so many people to the sport.”
He sees progress on the V8 as a sign of a new understanding between the FIA, as governing body, and FOM, as promoter. That relationship was reinforced last December, when the FIA, FOM and all 11 Formula One teams signed the Concorde Governance Agreement, which sets the regulatory framework and governance terms of the championship to 2030.
Four major deals in 18 months
According to the release, the Concorde Governance Agreement is one of four major deals secured under Ben Sulayem’s presidency in the last 18 months. The others are a multi-year extension of the FIA’s agreement with Formula E Holdings for the promotion of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship; a long-term commercial rights agreement for the FIA World Rally Championship and the FIA European Rally Championship, announced in July; and a September agreement with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, organiser of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, for the FIA World Endurance Championship, which secures another decade of growth.
The release was issued from Dubai by the communications agency Total Communications. It does not mention any event in the UAE.
More sport on Dubai Edited: Ignite GP’s double victory on its debut weekend, UAE-based paddlers’ silver at the ICF world championships and the Galaxy Warriors’ medals in Istanbul.
Image: courtesy of Total Communications.