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FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem told The Drive that he owns 160 American V8-powered cars and favors American cars for their size, sound and road presence. He said he most enjoys restomods he helps modify himself, while describing European cars as “like Matchboxes.”
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem told The Drive that he owns 160 American V8-powered cars, describing his preference for large American cars in a conversation at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. He also called European cars “like Matchboxes,” a personal comparison that drew attention because he leads motorsport’s international governing body and has publicly discussed a return to simpler, V8-powered Formula 1 cars.
In the interview, Ben Sulayem said his affection for American cars is rooted in the conditions where he grew up in the United Arab Emirates: open roads and relatively low fuel costs. He told The Drive that those conditions made American cars a natural fit, and praised their V8 sound, size and road presence. His remark about Europe’s smaller cars was part of that comparison, not a statement about FIA policy or a technical assessment of European vehicles.
Asked how many American V8 cars he owns, Ben Sulayem answered “160.” The Drive said he did not provide the total number of cars in his broader collection or an estimate of its value. The collection reportedly ranges from modern hypercars and classic sports cars to heavily modified vehicles; the source also describes a one-off Studebaker pickup fitted with a BMW M3 engine.
Ben Sulayem said his favorite cars to drive are often restomods he has a hand in building, rather than cars bought in finished condition. He described work that can include changing a frame, moving an engine and adjusting the suspension, brakes, steering and tires. He named a Cadillac as the car he would keep if forced to choose one, while also mentioning Chrysler Imperial and Lincoln models.
A Collector’s View of V8 Motoring
The interview offers a personal glimpse of the FIA president’s interests beyond his official role: Ben Sulayem is not only a collector of high-end cars but says he particularly enjoys modifying and driving American V8 models. His comments may attract attention from car enthusiasts and Formula 1 followers because V8 engines are also part of ongoing debate about F1’s future power units. The interview itself, however, does not announce a policy change or establish that his personal collection is connected to a federation decision.
His preference for improving older cars’ handling and braking also helps explain why he values the process of building a vehicle, not only its brand or price. That is his stated view, rather than an independent evaluation of the cars or a broader claim about American or European engineering.
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The FIA Role and V8 Debate
Ben Sulayem leads the FIA, which governs Formula 1 and other international motorsport series. The Drive’s report situates the conversation amid his interest in bringing back simpler, V8-powered F1 cars. That detail provides relevant context for his comments, but the interview quoted here focuses on his private automotive interests; it does not set out a proposal, timetable or decision on future F1 engine rules.
The Drive reports that Ben Sulayem has a collection spanning rare modern supercars and older models. It also cautions that online estimates of the collection’s monetary value are unofficial, and that the president did not disclose the full collection’s exact size. The 160 figure applies specifically to the American V8 cars he was asked about.
““I love American V8s.””
— Mohammed Ben Sulayem, speaking to The Drive
Collection Size and F1 Plans
The reported 160-car figure is Ben Sulayem’s own answer in the interview; the source does not provide an independent inventory. The total size and value of his full collection remain undisclosed, and the online valuation figures mentioned by The Drive are described as unofficial estimates. The interview also does not identify every American V8 model he owns.
It is unclear whether, when or how Ben Sulayem’s stated interest in simpler V8-powered Formula 1 cars could affect the sport’s rules. No specific rule change, engineering plan or schedule is confirmed by this conversation. His remarks about European cars likewise should not be read as an official FIA position.
No Policy Change Announced
The interview provides no formal next step for the FIA or Formula 1. Any development in engine regulations would need to be communicated through the sport’s official governance and rule-making process, rather than inferred from the president’s comments about his personal cars. Readers can distinguish the two developments: a reported collector’s preference is confirmed in the interview, while any future change to F1 power-unit rules remains unannounced in the source material.
For now, the clearest update is the personal one: Ben Sulayem says he owns 160 American V8 cars, favors Cadillacs among the large models he discussed, and particularly enjoys driving cars he has helped modify.
Key Questions
How many American V8 cars does Mohammed Ben Sulayem say he owns?
He told The Drive that he owns 160 American V8-powered cars. The article does not include an independent inventory confirming the count.
What did Ben Sulayem mean by calling European cars “like Matchboxes”?
He was comparing their size with the larger American cars he prefers. It was a personal remark in an interview, not an official FIA assessment.
Does this interview confirm that Formula 1 will return to V8 engines?
No. The report notes Ben Sulayem’s interest in simpler, V8-powered F1 cars, but the interview does not announce a rule change, timetable or approved plan.
What kind of cars does Ben Sulayem say he enjoys most?
He said he particularly enjoys American cars he has modified himself, including restomods. He described improving elements such as handling, suspension, brakes and steering.
Source: thedrive.com
