Currently reading: F1 'ponders return of turbos'
Sport considering using turbocharged 1.5-litre engines from 2013, according to a report

Formula One bosses are considering a switch to turbocharged 1.5-litre engines from 2013, according to a report.

The move is designed to attract new sponsors, teams and manufacturers to the sport, as well as promoting the sport’s ‘green’ credentials, according to a “highly reliable” source quoted by pitpass.com.

F1 bosses are currently trying to secure a return for KERS in 2011, but the source said the talks “were only half the story” and longer-term changes to engine regulations were at the centre of the discussions. Most manufacturers, as well as the FIA, are said to be pushing towards downsized powerplants more relevant to road cars, but Ferrari in particular is believed to be leading the resistance.

Another insider quoted by the website said, “A number of possible engine configurations are being looked at but all at a sensitive stage. [There is a big push] for current units to remain [for cost reasons] but the FIA is keen on a step change in technology.”

One such manufacturer which has talked about entering the sport, should it improve its image and drive down costs, is Volkswagen. The German firm has pencilled in 2013 as the date it could potentially enter F1, either by setting up a team from scratch or buying into Williams.

Michelin has also this week talked about a return to F1, but has imposed several conditions on the FIA: it wants a switch to 18-inch rims to make its F1 tyres more relevant to its road and sports car programmes, and it wants the sport to be doing more for the environment.

Turbocharging was first introduced to F1 by Renault in 1977, but the 1000bhp-plus units were eventually banned by the FIA for the 1989 season.

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BriMarsh 18 April 2010

Re: F1 'ponders return of turbos'

What ever the benefits and positives, four-pot turbos will sound dreadful. Not a prime consideration I know, but a sad loss all the same. In recent years we've heard the back of the glorious V12s, then V10s now V8s. It's a shame that with the benefit of unfettered KERS we couldn't see the use of normally aspirated stock-blocks of no less than 5 cylinders.

Richard H 18 April 2010

Re: F1 'ponders return of turbos'

itsthatruth wrote:

The reason for little overtaking is down to the drivers and cars being so evenly matched, just check out qualifying times, then if you factor in the racing line being only 1 car wide you have the answers to the overtaking question.

To solve this cars need way more power than they can use, plus more mechanical grip and possibly less braking. This would create more mistakes to allow more overtaking.

F1 should be about innovation not cutting costs,

I agree.

The FIA are looking at a long term view, 2013 at the earliest

One thing everyone seems to forget is thatthere hasn't been that much overtaking in Formula 1 for 30 years!

I've followed F1 since 1981 and there has never been a load of overtaking, mistakes, yes, and mechanical problems.

The reason we look back on the late 80's with misty eyes is because the cars had way too much power, they used to blow up a lot too. It was alos another time when 4 or 5 drivers could win any race. Like now.

Once Colin Chapman built the Lotus 78, that was it, aerodynamics. Thats why the cars struggle to run close, and the guys are so damn clever that they recover whatever the rule makers do to lessen the grip.

1,000+ bhp cars would fantastic, but it was the cornering forces that killed turbo cars in the 80's and meant that the regulations had to change.

We don't want false things like reverse grids either, leave that to tin-tops

I can see ne litre screamers, with no rev limit, unlimited KERS, limited boost and fuel are probably near what will happen. It'd probably give similar power to todays cars.

VirginPower 18 April 2010

Re: F1 'ponders return of turbos'

Well, I'm so very heartened. It seems that, despite the heavy ministry I've had to dispense, people have been listening and absorbed almost all of it.

Really, I genuinely mean this: well done you. Well done! I am really proud, of you, not me. You! Well done.

People are even beginning to quote the precise figures, and to those I say, "You have some big kudos points."

Deregulation is the key, and Autocar can now claim to have a balance of wise and educated people speaking sense. Don't thank me, thank yourselves. You did this. Great!

Feel free to quote me on that, Autocar.

A choice of NA and 1.5-litre engines by 2013 would mean that all cars using newly developed engines will switch to turbos.

KERS must be completely unlimited (as disciples have been preaching - great!), as, without that condition, the system is simply pointless and expensive ballast. With unlimited KERS, the packages will benefit greatly in terms of cost, torque and reliability, though the dynamics of the powertrain will change significantly.

Then, as I've said before (I am so happy you're taking this in!), then, completely moveable ('stallable') flaps front and rear, so that there is no drag (downforce) anywhere it isn't needed.

Oh God, oh God, oh God. I am so overjoyed! You've been listening, you wonderful fans! Now take what we've done here and go out and tell them. Oh God. This is so great!

I can't go on. I could explain some more to you, but my hands and face are soggy. I can't write with soggy face - you know that.

Although I apologise to my avid followers for my tardy what I done, I am really happy I came to this threading late, as it gave me the opportunity to see how far you've come.

I am truly so emotional right now I could say something really, oh God! I can't say it. Oh, well done, you know what I'm saying. I'm getting silly. You lot. You did this. This is your effort in reading, reading, reading! Great!