Cosworth present at recent F1 engine meeting
- Published on 06 Jul 2017 12:16
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Talk of Formula 1's new engine rules is starting to come to light, as a meeting was held this week to discuss the next set of regulations. Attending the meeting was a large number of manufacturers, some surprising according to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
"There were surprising participants like Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Cosworth, Ilmor and AVL," Wolff is quoted by Speed Week. Also at the meeting were Audi, Alfa Romeo, Zytek who are all interested in what is next for F1.
Earlier this year, it was reported that a 1.6-litre V6 engine was to be favoured for the new set of regulations, much like the engine we have now. Also, initial plans are to scrap the MGU-H, which will improve the sound produced from the engine. There are also talks of a bi-turbo being introduced, along with a single KERS.
Fans have been calling for a scrapping of the hybrid units that were introduced in 2014, with many not liking the sound that is produced. The cost of these power units was a key factor in the demise of Caterham and Manor, who departed the grid in 2014 and 2016 respectively.
Ex-f1 driver Gerhard Berger says that the complexity of the units means many manufacturers are turned away: "Many companies can handle the technology of the current engine very well. But when it comes to the entire thing in its complexity with the hybrid systems, only a few are really able to do it very well."
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (12)
Login to replytalktohenry
Posts: 362
We need the noise back, whatever engine they decide on please? Do you all agree?
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
It'll be a v6 engine but improved sound would be nice. I'd like to see KERS back also
Hombibi
Posts: 137
Don't understand the noise discussion, have you tested a Tesla? What's more, I think that the majority of spectators around the world watches races on a screen, at home. More noise is not going to make a difference to them.
To me the noise has nothing to do with racing: it me it is about the same fascination that young children have with fire trucks. :-)
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
F1FAN KERS never left, its incorporated into the hybrid system, and is referred to as ERS-K now.
talktohenry
Posts: 362
We've lost the WOW factor though..........
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
From the engine sound?
talktohenry
Posts: 362
Yes
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I disagree. Although noise would certainly be a nice addition and it's thoroughly noticeable at the race track, the difference is negligible on TV. Furthermore, I think there are way bigger issues to resolve. I am all for preserving the DNA of the sport, but let's not be luddites about this either. We need more works teams. BMW, Toyota, Audi, Ford, it would be nice to have those represented.
Smiler121
Posts: 53
I've been extremely underwhelmed at Silverstone when the engines changed, I know I'm old fashioned but it still seems odd that they sound far less spectacular than the GP2.
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Is it really all about the noise?
Hombibi
Posts: 137
Well, maybe you are on to something here. Some people might come to the races primarily for the spectacle: the noise, collisions, drama, the glitter, the glitz. They might not know a Kimi from a Kiwi, but they pay for the tickets. In addition ( and probably overlapping ) is the group of driver fans, they primarily want to see their favourite win. And then there are the fans of the racing sport: they care about technology, fair competition, overtaking etcetera. None of these characters exists in isolation of course, but the question is nevertheless whom F1 tries to target. If it leans towards bringing in ticket revenue -> spectacle -> noise. If it leans towards advertising revenue -> fair and exciting competition. I suspect the main revenue is advertising, and ticket sales (race attendance) is essentially a marketing effort to ensure people watch all races they can't attend. Surely it is a bit of both, but I get worried when people like Wolf emphasise that Noise is the key aspect that will make the sport more exiting.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Costs and reliability should be a priority over everything. Nevermind the noise, quality of said noise is always better, but its beyond me why Super GT, a series with inline 4 600+HP engines, can produce louder sound than F1. Higher sound is a nice bonus, but shouldnt be paramount. We can afford having a bit less pleasant sound. What we cannot afford having is teams being forced to be uncompetitive or quite due to high engine costs. And we cannot have championships getting decided by reliability woes. We also cannot afford going back from hybrids, they are the way to go, and supplier interests would be zilch should we go back to regular engines. No, keep them hybrid, but lower the emphasis on the electric bits.