MARCH 24, 2013

Danner worried V6s to spoil F1 competition

Former F1 driver Christian Danner is worried the move from V8 to turbo V6 engines next year is a bad move for the sport.

Former F1 driver Christian Danner is worried the move from V8 to turbo V6 engines next year is a bad move for the sport.

After a long period of 'frozen' development of the current 2.4 litre units, the cars will be powered by all-new V6 engines next year in a dramatic shift for F1.

But Danner, also a commentator for German TV RTL, is worried.

"The most recent championships were, I think, the best there ever was," he told Playboy magazine.

"The reasons for this are clear. First, the technology is so developed that the cars are very reliable.

"Secondly, because of the regulations, the four engine manufacturers have been supplying practically equivalent engines.

"The introduction of the six cylinder engines is a huge technical challenge," Danner continued.

"The engines will play a much more important role, and so I am afraid of the effect that will have on the competition."

(GMM)