Formula One to switch to V6 engines in 2014

[Andy_Bangle]

A compromise has reportedly been reached in Formula 1 that will guarantee the future participation of all the current engine suppliers, while satisfying the FIA's drive for more fuel-efficient propulsion.

Plans were (until now) in place for F1 to switch from the current 2.4-litre V8 engines to 1.6-litre turbo fours by 2013. However, some of the current propulsion suppliers – Ferrari most vocally among them – vehemently objected to the proposal. The compromise agreement arrived at by the Formula 1 Commission is to replace both formulas with new turbocharged V6 engines, also 1.6 litres in displacement, which will still allow the integration of KERS regenerative braking by 2014 – one year later and two cylinders greater than initially planned.

The proposal still needs to be approved by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council, but if adopted would apparently satisfy both sides of the debate, including Ferrari's hesitance (at one end) and Renault's insistence (on the other) towards downsizing the current engines. What this will mean for planned newcomers like Craig Pollock's PURE outfit, however, which was already working on a turbo four, remains to be seen.

Source: Formula One to switch to V6 engines in 2014 - Latest sport news

[cruiser647]

Thank feck for that! Four pot turbo (although powerful) isn't right for the Pinnacle of motor sport.

Hopefully, they will be able to make V6's efficient enough for normal cars???? (or more likely 3 cylinder jobs )

[stooH]

Can I put my name down for a 1.6 turbo charged Ferrari V6 please...

[Mook]

planned newcomers like Craig Pollock's PURE outfit

I see that muppet's back again

[theduisbergkid]

I wish there was a practical way of allowing both 1.6 turbos and the traditional V8s to compete on a level playing field. Would mix things up nicely.

[Biscuits]

I had no idea they were thinking of using InLine Four turbo charged engines...... WTF were they thinking... next it'll be the F1 Prius GP :S

[Tipex]

I wish there was a practical way of allowing both 1.6 turbos and the traditional V8s to compete on a level playing field. Would mix things up nicely.

They tried that before though didn't they, and the turbo cars spanked the arse off everything else out there, hence they banned them!

Would be nice if they could compete on a level playing field though, as the differing power deliveries would make it more interesting.

[Biscuits]

It always made World SuperBikes entertaining, the in-line 4's vs the V-Twins.....

[Cuprabob]

It always made World SuperBikes entertaining, the in-line 4's vs the V-Twins.....

...until Ducati moaned everytime the got beat by an IL4 and they restricted the IL4s

The issue of N/A vs Turbocharged is causing a great deal of politics and moaning in BTCC at the moment

[Mook]

But they'll all be running 1.6 V6 turbos, so that shouldn't be an issue

[Scotty]

I had no idea they were thinking of using InLine Four turbo charged engines...... WTF were they thinking... next it'll be the F1 Prius GP :S

Worse! They'll start doing diesel race cars.

Oh hang on .....

[Tipex]

And they already race Prius' in the F1 GP, ok, so Red Bull can't get theirs working properly.

[Mook]

Worse! They'll start doing diesel race cars.

Oh hang on .....

Pug v Audi at Le Mans is awesome.

As are diesel Golfs in the VW Cup.

And there's a regular trackdayer who takes a proper flying white diesel Astra van :D

[CarMad]

Pug v Audi at Le Mans is awesome.

As are diesel Golfs in the VW Cup.

And there's a regular trackdayer who takes a proper flying white diesel Astra van :D

But they are so quite as racing cars to watch though.

[Cuprabob]

But they are so quite as racing cars to watch though.

...and they are quiet too+++

[Cuprabob]

Interesting comment from Adrian Newey after today's race. He said the 4cyl turbo was based on Audi saying they would only compete in F1 if the engines were 4cyl turbos and everybody went along with it to get them in. Audi then decided they don't want to do F1 and the existing teams decided it was difficult to make these engines a structural element and as such opted for V6

[Mr Man]

Interesting comment from Adrian Newey after today's race. He said the 4cyl turbo was based on Audi saying they would only compete in F1 if the engines were 4cyl turbos and everybody went along with it to get them in. Audi then decided they don't want to do F1 and the existing teams decided it was difficult to make these engines a structural element and as such opted for V6

Just as well really...Audi being Audi the 4th cylinder would probably have been an optional extra.

[Andy_Bangle]

The V12s gave way to V10s in the mid 90s. Those were replaced in turn by the current V8s in 2006, and now it's been confirmed that by 2014 two more cylinders will drop off the block for V6 propulsion.

As said in my first post, displacement will drop from 2.4 liters to 1.6, but don't expect a big drop in performance, as the lost cylinders will be replaced by a turbocharger.

Press release from FIA website:

FIA Formula One World Championship Power Unit Regulations

29/06/2011

Following a fax vote by its members, the World Motor Sport Council has ratified the engine regulations recently drawn up in consultation with the main stakeholders in Formula One. The new power plant will be a V6 1.6 turbo unit with energy recovery systems. This new formula will come into effect as from the start of the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship season.

[Mr Man]

I seem to recall the special 1.5t qualifing engines pumped out circa 1,500bhp.....I know they could`t race with them....not very reliable....any idea how much power the new 1.6t are expected to produce...I suppose there will be a limit and the boot pressure....well there will be a limit.

[mefavourite]

They're expected to produce around the same power as the current engines... so around 700 - 800 hp isn't it?

[Cuprabob]

They're expected to produce around the same power as the current engines... so around 700 - 800 hp isn't it?

yes, just slightly less than a Golf GTI with a Revo map :-)

[Andy_Bangle]

Just when you though it was a done deal ...the world of Formula One racing is being torn in two. On one side are forces like Renault and the FIA who want to see F1 moving towards more environmentally conscious means of propulsion. On the other are parties like Ferrari, the race promoters and Bernie Ecclestone that are more concerned about abandoning the elements that make grands prix the spectacle that they are.

The FIA recently approved a new engine formula that will see the sport switching from its current V8 engines to V6 turbos, which will also cut the rev limiter from 18,000 rpm down to 15,000. As a result, the commercial side of the sport is growing concerned that the screeching noise that has become associated with F1 racing will mean lower ticket sales. And ticket sales are the only way for local racers promoters to raise the millions demanded by Bernie Ecclestone for the right to host a grand prix.

In fact, according to ESPN, some of the race promoters are threatening to jump ship and hold IndyCar racers instead. With the series once again reunited and new engine suppliers expected to move in, Indy is hoping it can retake its place as the next viable alternative to F1.

For his part, Ecclestone can hardly blame them, and says that if the new engine regulations result in a drop in ticket sales, he could hardly hold the race promoters at fault. So what recourse would he have? Sue the FIA for loss of revenue. At this point, it could prove little more than saber-rattling – particularly since this isn't the first time the sport has gone with turbocharged V6 engines – but then again, F1 is a bigger spectacle these days than it was in the past.

Bernie Ecclestone threatens to sue FIA if 2014 engines flop | FIA | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN F1

[NeilB]

Nothing more than Bernie trying to undermine Todt as he is looking for someone like Mosley, rather than someone who is their own man.

As for the argument of noise and tracks switching to Indycar, it's complete rubbish. The engines in Indycars next year are going to be turbo charged 2.2 V6s, the next generation of F1 engines will be 1.6 V6s that are turbo charged. So really when you look at it there won't be any difference in sound, except for a slightly deeper sound from the Indy engine.