JUNE 23, 2011

F1 Commission wants V6 turbos from 2014

After a meeting of the F1 Commission in London yesterday, a proposal has been tabled for F1 to switch to 1.6-litre V6 turbo engines from 2014.

After a meeting of the F1 Commission in London yesterday, a proposal has been tabled for F1 to switch to 1.6-litre V6 turbo engines from 2014.

In the originally published F1 regulations, a move to 1.6-litre four cylinder turbo engines was due for 2013, but met with stiff opposition from Ferrari, Mercedes, Cosworth and Bernie Ecclestone, despite Renault being in favour. It is expected that the F1 Commission's new proposal will be ratified by a fax vote of the FIA World Motor Sport Council by early next week.

The new compromise solution is believed to also have the support of Renault, which was widely tipped to abandon its F1 involvement if more road-relevant technology was not forthcoming to replace the current 2.4-litre V8 engines.

It is understood that larger energy recovery/storage and improved fuel efficiency will be part of the V6 package, with KERS systems doubling in capacity to 120kw from 2013. Maximum revs will be reduced from 18,000rpm to 12,000rpm with ultimate power intended to remain around the current 750bhp.

The costs of developing the new engines is a concern, as well as the need for engines to sound 'right' despite a significant cut in revs, and for the various manufacturers to maintain their competitiveness, which has been a feature of F1 since the engine freeze was introduced. It is hoped that this can be achieved via resource restriction agreements.