Marko declares F1's return to turbo V8 engines in 2030 a 'done deal' after Sepang chaos

Helmut Marko has declared that Formula 1’s return to turbo V8 engines in 2030 is a “done deal”, telling Austrian outlet oe24 that the technical embarrassments at the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, forced the sport’s decision-makers to authorise a complete engine overhaul.

The retired Red Bull adviser was watching from home as the relocated race — which drew a record 261,000 fans to the Sepang circuit — descended into chaos. A lengthy rain delay was compounded by a widespread software glitch rooted in the complexity of the new 2026 power unit regulations, which mandate a 50/50 split between the internal combustion engine and the electrical battery system.

“Completely relaxed in front of the television, like a normal Formula 1 consumer,” Marko told oe24 when asked how he experienced the unfolding disorder. “I dismantled the additional screens I had set up after the first grand prix. What I see on television is enough for me now, although the waiting was really boring because of the long rain delay.”

Marko was unsparing in his assessment of the technical failure itself. “It’s shameful that a high-end product like Formula 1 is stopped by a software problem,” he said.

Despite his frustration, the Austrian veteran suggested the Sepang debacle had a significant upside for those who have long pushed for simpler, louder machinery. “On the other hand, this embarrassment helps to change one’s mind again,” Marko said. “The return to the V8 engine with Turbo 2030 is, as far as I know, a done deal.”

The claim lands amid growing discontent with the 2026 regulations across the paddock. Issues with battery “clipping” — where the hybrid system cuts power at high speeds — and recurring software failures have drawn criticism from teams and drivers alike since the new rules came into force.

Marko’s comments align closely with remarks made by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen just a day earlier, in which the reigning world champion stated on a podcast that his ideal vision for the sport involved ditching heavy hybrid systems, removing DRS, and reverting to lightweight V8 engines.

Formula 1 has not made an official announcement regarding the 2030 power unit regulations, and Marko’s statement reflects his own understanding rather than a confirmed FIA or commercial rights holder position. Nevertheless, his proximity to the sport’s inner circles over several decades lends the claim considerable weight.