The FIA and its president, Jean Todt, sent shock waves through the small world of Formula 1 a couple of months ago when they announced that F1 cars would be powered by 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged engines starting in 2013.
Whaaaat? A Ford Fiesta engine in a Ferrari or McLaren?
The sport's governing body has kept downsizing powerplants in recent years, first from 3.5 to 3.0 litres and then to 2.4 litres. Now, they're talking about 1,600 cc?!
Why? To go greener, Todt claims. Said 1.6L turbo will team up with the KERS hybrid system. Looks like Todt could no longer ignore the pressure from participating automakers that want to promote their road-going cars and technologies through Formula 1.
Will the new engine really be green? Don't worry about fuel consumption; a flow metre (small-diameter hose) will artificially limit fuel delivery. As for CO2 emissions, well, it's tough to say.
But the point here is this: millions of fans around the globe lament that Formula 1 no longer represents the pinnacle of auto racing. And they rightfully fear the day when anaemic, under-powered F1 cars will hit the tracks and kill the show with their timid sound effects.
How can you indeed marvel at a race car that sounds like a moped? Formula 1 should forever remain an extreme motor sport, filled with rage, intensity and excess on the tarmac and big-time thrills in the crowd.
F1 head honcho Bernie Ecclestone strongly opposes to these tiny four-bangers best suited for sub-compact cars. How the heck will he manage to sell Formula 1 to promoters and TV networks with such a soporific display of brawn and brutality? He's likely afraid to lose high-profile teams and the big bucks that come with them.
I understand where Todt is coming from, mind you – he merely wants to bring the sport up to date. Did you know that F1 cars burn over 60 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres? This is unacceptable by today's standards!
Advanced alternative technologies have already made their mark in endurance races. Audi and Peugeot are battling each other at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – which covers more than 5,500 kilometres – with direct-injected turbodiesel engines that use extremely-effective particulate filters. Yet they can still fly up to 350 km/h!
Maybe that's where environmental efforts should keep focusing, not in Formula 1.
Whaaaat? A Ford Fiesta engine in a Ferrari or McLaren?
The sport's governing body has kept downsizing powerplants in recent years, first from 3.5 to 3.0 litres and then to 2.4 litres. Now, they're talking about 1,600 cc?!
Why? To go greener, Todt claims. Said 1.6L turbo will team up with the KERS hybrid system. Looks like Todt could no longer ignore the pressure from participating automakers that want to promote their road-going cars and technologies through Formula 1.
Will the new engine really be green? Don't worry about fuel consumption; a flow metre (small-diameter hose) will artificially limit fuel delivery. As for CO2 emissions, well, it's tough to say.
But the point here is this: millions of fans around the globe lament that Formula 1 no longer represents the pinnacle of auto racing. And they rightfully fear the day when anaemic, under-powered F1 cars will hit the tracks and kill the show with their timid sound effects.
How can you indeed marvel at a race car that sounds like a moped? Formula 1 should forever remain an extreme motor sport, filled with rage, intensity and excess on the tarmac and big-time thrills in the crowd.
F1 head honcho Bernie Ecclestone strongly opposes to these tiny four-bangers best suited for sub-compact cars. How the heck will he manage to sell Formula 1 to promoters and TV networks with such a soporific display of brawn and brutality? He's likely afraid to lose high-profile teams and the big bucks that come with them.
I understand where Todt is coming from, mind you – he merely wants to bring the sport up to date. Did you know that F1 cars burn over 60 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres? This is unacceptable by today's standards!
Advanced alternative technologies have already made their mark in endurance races. Audi and Peugeot are battling each other at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – which covers more than 5,500 kilometres – with direct-injected turbodiesel engines that use extremely-effective particulate filters. Yet they can still fly up to 350 km/h!
Maybe that's where environmental efforts should keep focusing, not in Formula 1.