Formula One will switch to turbocharged four-cylinder engines from 2013, the FIA has revealed.
The new 1.6-litre engines will replace the current 2.4-litre V8s as part of F1’s drive to improve economy and lower emissions.
Alan Henry blog: F1 set for radical changes in 2013
The turbo units, which last appeared in F1 back in 1988, will be limited to 12,000rpm although an extended use of KERS systems should keep power at current levels. Economy should improve by around 35 per cent.
Teams will only be allowed five engines per season from 2013, and this will be reduced to four from 2014. Gearboxes will have to last five races, not the four at present.
The FIA has also removed the rule banning team orders from 2011, although teams can still be charged with bringing the sport intro disrepute.
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Re: F1 approves 1.6 turbo engines
The sum up : boring engines!
Re: F1 approves 1.6 turbo engines
Dunno what u lot are complaining about. The current 2.4l V8s sounded like motorcycles already, so there u go u losing nothing.
These 1.6L turbos will easily match and even exceed current power levels. Remember the Brabham fitted with the 1.5L BMW 4cyl Turbo ... 1500HP easy and had a rev max of 11000rpm. Once that Brabham won the title everyone went Turbo until Turbocharging was banned completely. Im sure if it wasnt banned, F1 teams would hav stuck to it to this day.
Re: F1 approves 1.6 turbo engines
The beginning of the end I fear. If you really want F1 to be relevant remove any powertrain restrictions and simply set a maximum level of emissions the powertrain must produce. Restrict aerofoils and wings to those feasible on a road car set minimal chassis parameters and leave the designers to it. You will also want a maximum cost per car to reign in excess. This will never happen but perhaps a new series could be introduced that could be both more relevant and innovative.