Formula One May Downsize, Use Biofuels; Road-car Relevance Encouraged
19 May 2007
Guardian. FIA president Max Mosley is proposing engine and fuel changes to Formula One as part of a "green revolution" for 2011.
Under proposals which were recently sent to all car manufacturers involved in the sport 2.2-liter turbocharged V-6s running on biofuel and developing around 770 horsepower would replace the current 2.4-liter V-8 engines that develop around 100 hp more.
Maximum revs would be restricted to 10,000rpm, down from 19,000rpm, which would make the new generation of cars much quieter than the current machines. Each engine would run five grands prix between routine changes, rather than two races under the current rules, and the cars would be fitted with traction control, four-wheel drive and have a power-boost facility that could be deployed by the driver to enhance overtaking opportunities.
“We are in active discussions with the major manufacturers to ensure that, in future, research and development relevant only to formula one will be discouraged, whereas that which has relevance to road-car development will be encouraged,” said Mosley. “We understand that such an approach has broad support from the competing manufacturers and we will work closely with them to ensure that, in particular, the new environmentally relevant technologies that many of them are developing are made our priority.”
OOOOO! A race even more boring then before! I stopped watching these things long ago.
Posted by: wintermane | 19 May 2007 at 12:11 PM
Yeah!!
What a "gringo" you are wintermane...
I bet you LOVE that disgusting junk yard called NASCAR!!!
FS
Posted by: Fred | 19 May 2007 at 12:26 PM
Another of one of dear Max's ideas that have always done far more harm to F1 than good. Gee, Max if you want to go green just limit the amount of fuel allowed per car to finish the race and then you might see those wealthy F1 teams devolop the techology to maximize fuel efficency.
Posted by: gary | 19 May 2007 at 06:36 PM
I'd say no to limits on displacement or engine type but yes to the "bio-fuel only" requirement. Then add a penalty to those teams that use more than X gallons per race, to encourage efficiency. This way new engine tech could be developed on the track, thus increasing the possibility of the new tech reaching the streets.
Posted by: Green Destiny | 19 May 2007 at 07:12 PM
"We are in active discussions with the major manufacturers to ensure that, in future, research and development relevant only to formula one will be discouraged, whereas that which has relevance to road-car development will be encouraged."
Did not fuel injection, variable valve timing, gasoline direct injection, electromagnetic valve actuation, and myriad other innovations not find R&D dollars in Formula One? Also, improvements in the computer technology may have, in some form, been used in road going vehicles. I believe it is unfair to say that no developments from Formula One have any "green" ramifications.
Formula One racing is certainly not carbon neutral by nature, but this in a nice gesture on behalf of Mr. Mosley.
Posted by: Bike Commuter Dude | 19 May 2007 at 07:51 PM
Who said no F1 developments have green applications? I think the point being made here is that there are different, perhaps better ways to go about it than are currently being suggested. I am happy F1 is finally taking proactive steps in this direction; however I think most people here think these steps are more than a few years late.
Posted by: Green Destiny | 20 May 2007 at 08:35 AM
the amount of fuel this cars use on the track is a p**s in the ocean compared
to the logistics that fly them and all their entourage around the globe!
Posted by: andrichrose | 20 May 2007 at 10:21 PM
I think the 4-wheel drive that is mentioned relates to energy capture (electric or hydraulic) at the front wheels, so this comment seems to confirm again the move to hybrid F1 cars.
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