F1's engine conundrum

Theoretically the F1 engine spec is set in stone until 2020. Yet the debate about what happens then has started early. The sport's brave new world put in place at the turn of the year coincided with a starting gun being fired for wrangling over whither, and more to the point whether, the current hybrid power units.

F1's debate about the future of its engines has started early
Photo: Octane Photography

The resultant conundrum brings us quickly to a core debate. Does F1's technology not matter much so long as the racing is good? Or should F1, to coin the phrase, also be about 'improving the breed'? In other words, should it provide a test bed for road car manufacturers, as it virtually always has at least to some extent?

If it is the latter, then as things stand the disconnect is becoming clear. As the redoubtable Dieter Rencken observed when visiting last year's Geneva International Motor Show, while F1 references were thin on the ground any number of manufacturers were at pains to flaunt their connection with the new-ish all-electric motorsport category, Formula E.

They're voting with their feet too. "In 2016/7, the number of manufacturers represented on FE grids (Renault, DS, Audi, VW, NEXTEV, Mahindra, Jaguar, with Nissan possibly joining off the back of alliance partner Renault) could outnumber automotive brands currently in F1 by eight to five, if, that is, one views McLaren-Honda as two entities," noted Rencken.

New Motorsport Week article: F1's engine conundrum - what will power the future of the sport?

Photo: Octane Photography

Everything is up for grabs it seems since Liberty established its power over F1. Not surprising given its clear mandate for change, and that most in and around the sport are rather hankering for said change.

And it applies, fervently, to the debate over the future of F1's engines, even though that one theoretically is set until 2020. But things are bringing it into immediate focus, and it sits in close proximity to a core question of what F1 wants to be - pleasing the road car industry or pleasing itself? And could it please the road car industry of the near future even if it wanted to?

In my latest for Motorsport Week I outline the key considerations. You can read my piece here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/14044

New Grand Prix Times article: The engine cost deal - too good to be true?

F1 hasn't been short of things to fall out about lately; even among them the matter of the prevailing engine spec has been likely most divisive of all. And whatever else you thought of it the costs of the current power units were doing a lot to strangle the life out of the sport.

Photo: Octane Photography

Very loosely speaking the sport's governors wanted to bring the prices down, perhaps even fundamentally alter the engine regs, while the manufacturers that supply the engines were resisting on both fronts. Yet after months of no budging - nor the remotest sign of the possibility of budging - on either side suddenly reports landed last week saying that a solution had been reached, and - gulp - it was all remarkably sensible. How un-F1.

But the saying goes, if it seems to good to be true, it probably is. And does that apply here? In my latest article for Grand Prix Times I explore the matter. You can have a read here: http://www.grandprixtimes.com/news/id/11159

And if you've not been on the Grand Prix Times site in the past few days then you won't know that it's had something of a re-vamp. Not only does it have a new look it also now covers many motorsport series beyond F1 - WEC, Indycar, GP2 and others. Do check it out.

New F1 Times article: The times they are a-changin' – F1's noise debate

Unless you've been living in seclusion ever since the Australian Grand Prix, you'll be aware that most of us it seems have had their say on F1's noise debate in recent days.

For F1 Times, I've outlined my views on the matter. I look at what may explain the division and why I think we have little to fear fro the new-spec F1.

Please pop over and have a read by clicking on this link: http://www.f1times.co.uk/news/display/08660

Why F1 needs a turbo charge: New engine regulations for 2014

F1's blueprint for the future is in place, finally.

On Wednesday last week the FIA rubber-stamped new engine regulations to be introduced for the 2014 season, previously hammered out by the teams. This means that the current 2.4 litre V8 units are on the way out, and will be replaced by 1.6 litre V6 turbos with more liberalised energy-recovery systems and using around 35% less fuel, while generating the same level of power as now. I'm going to don my tin hat and say that it's about time too.

Renault's V6 turbo engine from 1980
Credit: m duchesne

The changes have been criticised widely, right from their initial suggestion, and this will no doubt continue until the things are used in anger in the opening round of the 2014 season. Bernie Ecclestone has been particularly vocal, many F1 circuits are apparently threatening to decamp to the Indycar series, and F1 fans' forums also invariably betray extensive hostility to the new regulations. The main concerns are the loss of the high-revving scream of the current F1 engines which has an appeal in itself, as well as that the concentration on conservation and efficiency instead of excess is against what F1 'should be about'.

But no man is an island entirely of itself, and such a view I feel disregards that F1 does not and cannot exist inside a bubble. F1, like everything, can only proceed with the permission of the society around it. Its ticket sales, support, investment, sponsorship and regulatory framework in which it can operate all come from society more widely, and without these F1 could not survive.