F1's next engine regulations will move to V8 turbo hybrids designed to be simpler and cheaper than the current power units. The FIA sent a proposal document to the six engine manufacturers outlining a framework for engines to arrive in either 2030 or 2031.
The new V8s would displace 2.0 to 2.3 liters with reduced turbo boost and less powerful hybrid systems. The electrical motor would produce 200kW of recovery capacity, down from the current 350kW, with 100kW available at all times and another 100kW for overtake mode. The internal combustion engine would supply roughly 900bhp total. The cars would lose 80kg overall weight.
The FIA abandoned its earlier push to return to naturally aspirated engines. The turbo addition keeps the engines road-relevant while improving efficiency and fuel consumption. Drivers including Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen criticized this season's engines for their complexity. Alonso called F1 the "battery world championship" and Verstappen said the rules were "Formula E on steroids" and anti-racing.
All six manufacturers consider the fundamental framework basically acceptable, though details need discussion. Insiders say all manufacturers want to design and build their own power-units and keep engines as a performance differentiator. The FIA proposed cutting the engine budget cap by 50% from the current $190m per year, though this is described as a starting point for talks.
The proposal includes two paths forward. One minimizes adaptation by adding two cylinders to current 1.6-liter blocks. The other, more controversial option would have an external manufacturer supply a standardized baseline engine with customization options, but all six manufacturers oppose this route.
Discussions aim to produce a proposal for the FIA world council in December.