Renault engine more powerful than the rest?

As some of you might remember, despite the engine freeze rule, Renault was allowed to work on their underpowered engine in order to get the engine power among all the manufacturers leveled out. Now that not only Red Bull are by far the strongest team but that Petrov and Kubica can keep up with the McLarens in the race, I wonder: Did the Renault engineers overshoot their mark? Is it possible that the Renault engine is now #1 in terms of power? And, most importantly: WTF came up with that ******* engine freeze rule???

 

It certainly has the legs to keep up with the Mercedes engine which is one of the strongest engines around which is why everyone wants it in their car, not all Renault do is work on lasting 4 races. I remember when there were rumours that Honda would have the most powerful engine before the engine freeze so must have been in 2005 with the V10 engines, I think it had or was said to have 1000hp I don't know/think they achieved it though. So the engine freeze must have been 2006 onwards and probably a Mad Max idea.

 

Hopefully Renault proper will take note and get back in the series in a major way. I think the car looks good and they have a good pairing at the wheel. I think they are just a few tweaks or upgrades away from making the top 3 teams worry even more.

Maybe the dark horse of the season. With track position being so critical this year just a few small qualifying errors by the big teams and Renault can ruin their day. Im impressed with the whole effort.

Clearly the engine is strong and more imporantly reliable. Not a bad combination!

 

during the v10 era it was pretty widely accepted that the BMW was the most powerful engine in the field. 1000hp+

 

Does anyone know when the engine development freeze expires? I've been wondering this for some time, but didn't want to start a new thread.

 

I think the power spread between engines is very small. We've had Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault engined cars win this year. We are very much in the age of aerodynamics. Most everything is designed with aerodynamics in mind (front suspension without ICs, ride height adjustment etc.)

I was told that the hp spread doesn't much matter.

 

Actually the Renault's never did anything, they say their motors are at least 35 hp down from the Mercedes.

 

I think your thinking of the Turbo Era of the 80's, no normally aspirated Engine in F1 ever got closer than 840hp (including the 3.5 ltr motors).

 

Engines will be unfrozen for 2013.

 

not true the last toyota engine, the RVX-05, before they went to these new V-8's, that one made just shy of 950 hp at 19,000+ rpm, there's an feature on it in EVO (oct 2005), great pics of the engine too. amazing engineering.

 

By 2005 they were pushing 1000 HP...

 

Was not aware of that, thank you and will definately check it out.

 

Wow never knew they got that high with Normally Aspirated Motors. Have to check out the EVO on the V10's.

 

Actually 1000hp is correct. I clearly remember Honda suzuka motor was putting out at least 1000hp.

 

Yeah, amazing stuff. Damn I miss those things.

 

This was before the 2 race engine rule I think, right?
So they could max out engines each race.
Honda even had a "suzuka special" for the Japan grand prix, with at least 80 extra hp.

 

The Merc was easily the most powerful engine since 2007. But now, it makes sense that the Renault has the best powerplant.

Engine freeze=failure.

I just don't see the whole point of it.

 

Kubica > Button.

 

The biggest failure was the pointless switch from V10s to V8s that cost the teams hundreds of millions on a whim of Mad Max.

 

Yea. Can't agree more. It's Max's idea of slowing down the cars and making them more safer. Since when F1 is safe anyways? On the side note, despite all this attempts to slow the cars now with ridiculous looking wings and V8s, compared to 2004, has there been any change?

 

yep, on certain tracks, previous lap records with the V-10's have been eclipsed...they just keep finding ways to make 'em go faster and faster...

but, i really really miss the ridiculous cry of the V-10's...not as pretty sounding as the 90's V-12's but dang, manic they were..

 

Hell yea! Don't forget mate, one of the reasons overtaking is so difficult these days is because of V8s, and also the RPMs has been restricted to just 17k(?) now...