F1 Debate : Are the new 2013 engine regulations good for Formula One?
Are the new 2013 engine regulations good for Formula One?
In 2013 the FIA will introduce a radical new engine formula into Grand Prix racing. Formula One cars will feature smaller 1.6 litre four cylinder engines with a large KERS component, and there is also talk of the cars operating as total electric hybrids in the pitlane.
The new regulations have already caused significant controversy. The FIA is pushing to improve the sport’s road relevance and environmental impact, but some of the teams believe the changes will be too expensive and will lessen the spectacle of Formula One.
The case for the new 2013 engines
The new engine formula will be an exciting change for the sport and may attract more manufacturers into F1 with road relevant and environmentally friendly technologies. F1 cars in the eighties used to have low revving turbo charged engines and they sounded fantastic, so these should as well. It will also be great to see more development back in the sport after several years of the engine freeze.
Jean Todt has praised the new regulations by saying “I can guarantee that the Formula One cars for the 2013 season will be very exciting and produce a great sound. The development of the industry in the past years has been bringing safety and environmental awareness to the foreground, and the car manufacturers have made great progress in both areas. With the new rules, the FIA wants to send a strong message about Formula One. It is the pinnacle of motor sport and the smaller engine is very important for the manufacturers."
The case against the new 2013 engines
Formula One cars are spectacular because they are incredibly noisy powerful machines, and these new regulations are going to spoil that. They are also going to spread out the field as the wealthier manufacturer backed teams will gain a big advantage from the increased development. That would be a huge shame because the sport has never been closer or more competitive than it is right now. The changes are also going to be very expensive at a time when the sport is trying to reduce costs, and some of the environmental technologies are simply ‘greenwash’ gimmicks.
Bernie Ecclestone is against the new regulations and has said “I'm anti, anti, anti, anti moving into this small turbo four cylinder formula. We don't need it and if it's so important it's the sort of thing that should be in saloon car racing. The rest of it is basically PR. It's nothing in the world to do with Formula One. These changes are going to be terribly costly to the sport. I'm sure the promoters will lose a big audience and I'm quite sure we'll lose TV."
What do you think? Have you say below and join the debate. Are the new 2013 engine regulations good for Formula One?
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Last Comment Posted »
Hmm I can't decide either way.
It might sound like a simplistic view, but the sound of the engine is huge for me. I hated it when we went from...
by Jimmy@enterF1
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Recent comments on this article:
#1 rabih | 20 Aug 2011, 10:31 Reply »
new small engines are the worst thing can happen in formula one world,im not gonna watch f1 if it's gonna be 4 cylinder,i'll watch bicycle races!
it's bulls**t
#2 ABDULLAH SALLEH | 31 Aug 2011, 15:33 Reply »
ITS NICE TO KNOW THE NEW ENGINE OF FORMULA1
#3 | 31 Aug 2011, 15:33 Reply »
#4 Orv | 3 Sep 2011, 23:49 Reply »
I remember the 80s, the cars were as noisy as hell!
One thing that was interesting about the turbos, was the boost button. This was a bit like KERS, you could get past others on the straights. Each driver had to manage their own fuel usage, with many running out before the end of the race.
The other alternative is a supercharger; the engines have constant power with no lag issues. I know superchargers are thirsty however, they require power to run the compressor.
I think a 2 litre engine would be the best comprise, with a higher rev limit. KERS could then play a larger roll. Number of cylinders and layout could be left open, to allow for packaging of the KERS system.
#5 MartyP | 1 May 2011, 14:07 Reply »
Personally, I'm quite excited by the new engine regs. I'm not a fan of the engine freeze at the moment (because I think F1 should always be about technical development) and I think it will bring manufacturers back into the sport. I always find new technology exciting in F1, so I will be happy to see development that isn't just aero related.
#6 Gilly | 3 May 2011, 01:57 Reply »
4 cylinder turbos are for saloons and is the thing of the past. My Audi A4 has that engine. It this Formula one or saloon racing ?
Formula one should be the cutting edge of technology and not backwards.
Sound wise, turbos are not the sound that can excite audience/fans. It will sound so boring that people will not buy tickets to watch saloon engines.
My GT3 Porsche race car with open exhaust sounds much better than any turbo engine on the race track.
Formula one tries too much changes these days and most of those changes takes away REAL excitement that race fans used to enjoy.
#7 James | 3 May 2011, 02:40 Reply »
Formula 1 IS the about technical development and it should be guided by a body of peers. 4 Cylinders, IS NOT Formula 1!!!! Engineers need to figure this out NOT a sanctioning body....
Did anyone ever ask the market if there was a cursory answer to the Carbon Footprint that the FIA is so concerned about?????
#8 Mike Smith | 3 May 2011, 05:29 Reply »
Martin,
Unlike other writers, I believe that the new formula has enormous potential. So far the actual cylinder layout is undetermined -- there may/should be variations allowed in an effort to promote diverse solutions: inline 4's, v4's, horizontally-opposed 4's (a promising bet to lower rear-end profile).
The turbo-charging will be a welcome return and will more than make up for the decreased displacement -- recall that the turbo 1.5s of the 80's were monsters.
The prospect of increased KERS capacity is a positive since these units will surely become more dependable over time.
As to the alleged inferior 'sound quality' of these new engines, let's hear them first. This will be a minor irritant, if it is anything at all -- we'll get used to it after FP1 of the first race weekend.
For the drivers the changes are the same for all and they will all rise to the same competitive challenge.
The engines may very well be easier on the tires leading to varying strategies that are less dependent on the vagaries of Pirelli's offerings.
Cheers,
Mike Smith
#9 Jimmy@enterF1 | 3 May 2011, 13:34 Reply »
Hmm I can't decide either way.
It might sound like a simplistic view, but the sound of the engine is huge for me. I hated it when we went from v10's to v8's - from going to the the British Grand Prix every year, the difference was very noticeable. But.... you get use to it just like everything!
I just don't want F1 dumbed down too much - that is all.
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