Will we ever see engines larger than a V8 in F1 again?

+1 [I also remember the Matra V16 (?) - That sucker was *awesome*.

Returning to you question, we postulated on this when it looked like FOTA was going it alone - The general consensus was:

- In the short term, the status quo - Why rock the boat? [It will be interesting to see if the rev limit goes away - I don't think so, but.....]
- In the longer term, smaller, turbocharged engines - This is the way (many) road cars are going and would help the manufacturers keep their BOD's on their side - "Hey, we're really helping with road car development!".

Cheers,
Ian

 

wait until there is no sound when the cars are all electric, just tire on road noise.

 

That's already here with the friggin' diesels - Tire and wind noise and that's it

 

Now , now , the sound of the diesel engine is still audible - in fact the Peugeot diesel is louder than the Audi's R15 or R10. Trust me on this, I've heard both many times.

Carol

 

*Just* audible..... I'll concede I haven't heard the Peugeots, but I've been up real close to the Audis (in the pits) and they *suck* IMHO. [Actually, that''s one of the few things you can hear - Them sucking! ]

Sorry, I know you love your sports cars Carol, but even you must surely concede that the diesels (at least the Audi's) just don't sound like racing cars.....

Cheers,
Ian

 

So I'll concede but the NUMBER UNO, BEST SOUNDING RACING ENGINE IS AN ASTON MARTIN V12 - far superior to F1.

Peace?

Carol

 

Always peace! Just a respectful difference of opinion.

While I agree the AM V12 does indeed make wonderful music my choice is still the V10's. Closely followed by todays V8's - There's nothing like lots of RPM IMHO.

I'll see if I can find the Matra scream somewhere though - It was completely unique - It just *howled*. Never again I fear

Cheers,
Ian

 

I loved those pit reports during 24HLM when you could CLEARLY hear the V12's and the Corvette V8's rocket by.

 

+1

That V12 sound was truly epic (on TV and Radio Le Mans; can't even imagine what it must have sounded like in person.)

 

I miss those V10's and would love to hear a modern V12 F1 but, I'd bet they're happy to keep and improve current platforms.

 

too good to be true.The "FERRARI F1 V12 SOUNDS" on youtube,i'm addicted.

 

There's a Matra that runs CER (Classic Endurance Racing) at the LMS races we go to! Come to Portimao next month! Here's the CER entry list:
http://www.classicenduranceracing.com/ml/pdf/2009/entry_list/2009_CER_entry_list_1000km_of_Algarve.pdf

Carol

 

It's inevitable.

FIM just announced an electric motorcycle series today. Does anyone here really think we'll still have internal combustion F1 in a dozen or so years' time? Political pressure to go electric will mount as environmental issues become more prevalent in the news. It'll probably stay V8-powered for stability's sake (with FOTA now having a powerful voice) but I think by about 2022, we'll hear something completely different.

 

Nothing bigger than a V-8.

Electric motors are really rather small.

Long live vintage racing!!!

 

+1 on the Corvette V8's at LMS they sound absolutely monsterish. I would be very disappointed if they lowered the limit on the F1 engines even more, one of the best parts of motor racing is hearing and feeling the sound.

 

I sincerely hope they do not go to turbocharged. And although I hear "turbocharging is the future" I cannot understand why this barrow is being pushed (they are not any more efficient that NA engines)

I am only seeing limited evidence that manufacturers are looking at turbo solutions (such as BMWs latest engine in the 335i) and while I agree it is a brilliant engine I don't see it demonstrating anything new or advanced.

 

I think the main thing about the FIA implementing 'cost saving' as well as 'safer' engines in the V8s and restricted revs...but, the one thats suffering here is overtaking. Look at Silverstone. Sure, the cars are closer now, but with 19k revs(?), i think there's just no high end afterburner needed for the overtaking.

Back in 2007, even with all the fancy aeros, Massa in a much more faster car overtook many cars and ended up 5th in Silverstone. SO yes, IMO, i really hope we'll see bigger engines.

 

Mind my asking why? They were pretty impressive at their peak [IMHO].

"Thermodynamically", I agree. However, I'm pretty sure they (typically) have a better power to weight ratio.....

Exactly! One of the reasons Dr Thiessen gives to his BOD in a few years time "Advance the breed you know!".....

Somewhat OT, but "power" related, I guess they can choose to use KERS next year if they want? - I still think that, implemented correctly (without the artificial restrictions) it could help to provide the "afterburner" effect Brian longs for.......

Cheers,
Ian

 

Apparently you do not understand the full concept behind turbocharging.

Refer to my first reply ^.

 

They were fast and fabulous to be sure - Nigel Mansell laying two black stripes down on the main straight at Hungary while overtaking (that mythical event of passing another car on the track)...

But then the 3.5l V12s came out (need drool icon here)... and with much less power the cars were even faster - Driveability was significantly increased over the on/off turbo engines - plus they sound better (IMHO)

My desire is for driveability above all as this is what I like most in a car

I'm not sure that is true - it seems marginal once you add in all the additional plumbing a turbo car requires. Packaging is also a real challenge for turbo cars in terms of intercooling and mid engined cars suffer here much more so than front engined ones (where do you site the intercooler to minimise distance but get it in the airflow).

It is a very nice new well optimised engine but what significant advances does it make over any other new engine (is it significantly better than the M3 or M5 engines and if so in what way) and is that a result of the turbocharger system or that the latest technology has been implemented?

This sounds good to me







PS: I do realise that the tuner community like turbo engines because they are much easier to modify.

 

I'm willing to hear arguments for turbocharging - care to elaborate

 

Fair argument! [I also agree the V10's sounded the best btw]

Neither am I!

Exactly the kind of challenge that F1 is all about IMHO! Bring it on!......

A combination of both?

From an auditory perspective I'm with you - Bring back the 10's! From a "justify the expense" view I fear diesels more than turbos! (Sorry Carol )

Cheers,
Ian

 

The true spirit of F1

Absolutely

Boo hiss - (keep 'em in the trucks )