Audi CEO Dollner open to V8 engines in F1 but insists efficiency must stay central

Audi CEO Gernot Dollner has signalled that the German manufacturer would accept a switch to V8 engines under Formula 1’s post-2030 regulations, provided the sport retains a firm commitment to turbocharging and energy efficiency. Speaking in an interview with Motorsport.com, Dollner said Audi’s position is shaped by broader regulatory principles rather than cylinder counts alone.

“Yes, why shouldn’t we accept that? I mean, the Nuvolari has a V8 so we don’t have problems with V8 engines,” Dollner said, referencing Audi’s newly launched hybrid supercar. He was quick to add context, however: “To just pick one question of a regulation is not really answering the overall question of where do you want to go with the regulation.”

The next F1 regulatory cycle is formally scheduled to begin in 2031, though it could be brought forward if sufficient backing exists among stakeholders. Both FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali have spoken positively about the prospect of V8 engines running on sustainable fuels alongside a significantly reduced electrical component — a notable shift from the heavily electrified direction that attracted Audi to the sport in the first place.

For Dollner, the engine configuration is secondary to the underlying engineering philosophy. “That’s definitely more important than talking about the number of cylinders,” he said of turbocharging. “We prefer turbo due to the efficiency aspect. That is more important than the number of cylinders.”

Audi’s entry into Formula 1 was built on a sustainability-driven platform, and Dollner made clear that the brand’s core demand remains unchanged regardless of how the cylinder debate resolves. “The most important aspect for Audi is that we keep the idea of being sustainable and having a regulation that has energy efficiency in the focus as a main pillar of Formula 1 regulations.”

Dollner also acknowledged that the wider automotive industry has shifted its stance on electrification since Audi first committed to F1, suggesting the manufacturer is not caught off guard by the sport’s evolving long-term outlook. He expressed confidence in the FIA-led process: “I’m very optimistic that the outcome will be a good one.”

Domenicali, meanwhile, has argued that F1 should reduce its dependence on original equipment manufacturers when shaping future rules, while still acknowledging that broad manufacturer support remains essential for the sport’s commercial and technical health.