Monday, November 12, 2012

Should F1 keep V-8’s or roll out new V-6 turbos?

I must say I’m not a huge fan ‘O the new miniscule 1.6-liter V-6 single turbo sewing machine engines slated for implementation in 2014...

Although I began my Formula 1 odyssey in the last turbo era, I’ve actually never had the privilege of hearing the banshee wail of a 1,000bhp Honda V-6 twin turbo in anger! Nor a ridiculously boosted four cylinder BMW/Megatron ‘lump, or either the Ferrari & Porsche/TAG V-6 turbos, so I have nothing to draw upon on the F1 side of the ladder in regards to these ultra BAD ARSE 1.5-liter powerplants; while I would definitely contend that the “New & Improved” 2.2-liter V-6 turbocharged IndyCar lumps DON’T sound anywhere’s near as soothing as the ubiquitous 2.65-liter V-8 turbo CART engines...

Thus my entire audible history of the modern Formula 1 chassis centers around the blissfulness  grunt of la Scuderia & ‘LamborGenie’s (Lamborghini) V-12’s, le Reggie’s all conquering V-10, Ford’s ubiquitous HB V-8, Judd’s CV & EV, Cosworth’s long in -the-tooth, albeit redesigned DFR, the 3.0-liter V-10 era and finally our current 2.4-liter V-8 spec  engines, all normally aspirated...

While the premise seems legit - as in the advancement of motor racing, perhaps even appetizing major automotive manufacturers to re-enter the realm of Formula 1, I’m not sure why we’re being forced to undergo the return to micro-turbocharging again? As is it just me or does anybody else recall the automotive sector going thru the very same cycle 30-years ago, when car makers were forced to downsize and suddenly a proliferation of 4-bangers assaulted us... Can you say Chrysler’s mighty Shelby “badged” GLHS? Y’all know: Goes Like Hell sometimes, sorta...

Yet I find it interesting that Renault has decided to put its Brand Ambassador “Extraordinaire” Alain Prost behind the wheel of a prototype 1.6L V-6 turbo ‘lump, which I’d assume was partially an attempt to draw up support for the new specification motor, not to mention Renault Cars in general...


Meanwhile, in what I’d hasten to assume is a typical plight of the Minnowesqe teams, who spend copious amounts of time scrambling solely for funding - Marussia’s Team Boss has come out decrying the new engine formulae will cripple the little teams like his and endanger the sport from full grids in the future...


Thus I’ll leave it up to Y’all to decide whether or not Formula 1 should proceed to the new 1.6L boosted formulae with new & improved KERS - as I find this all to be the continuous wave of deplorable “Greenwashing!” as I guess I’m a died in the wool PetrolHead, eh?