MARCH 19, 2001
Berger wants to keep the power
GERHARD BERGER, the BMW Motorsport director, has urged Formula One's governing body the FIA not to reduce the power of engines in the sport after the first two races of the season.
Berger, a former Ferrari, Benetton and McLaren driver, is aware that speeds have increased this year with the development of a tire war between Michelin and Bridgestone but he disagrees with suggestions to reduce the engine capacity to make the cars slower.
Rule changes have been put on hold as the FIA assesses the matter in the first few races, but driver Jaguar Eddie Irvine has suggested a move to 2.5 litre V6 engines, which would reduce the horsepower put out by the engines.
Berger does not think this is the way to go. "From a driver's side I don't think it is very challenging," said the Austrian.
"I think having [the current] 800bhp is very challenging for a driver," he said. "It should be the top cars, it should be very difficult to handle."