Audi has made clear it wants turbocharged engines to remain central to Formula 1’s future, rejecting FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s push for naturally aspirated V8s.
CEO Gernot Dollner said at the Monaco Grand Prix that efficiency and sustainability demand turbos, proposing a V8 twin‑turbo with hybrid capacity similar to Audi’s new Nuvolari hypercar.
Ben Sulayem argues V8s are lighter, cheaper and louder, but a BBC Sport poll showed fans favor turbo engines with strong hybrid elements. Mercedes also leans toward turbos, though less firmly than Audi.
With manufacturers like GM, Ford, Honda and Audi invested in hybrid technology, forcing a return to V8s risks alienating key players.
The FIA can impose new rules from 2031, but the debate highlights F1’s struggle to balance spectacle with sustainability.
