F1 2011: Operaton Champcar
June 6th 2007 01:36
Mosley has some radical plans
Contained in the document are specific regulations that aim to achieve Mosley’s desire for cost-saving, environmentalism and better racing.
The main part of the document concerns powertrain regulations, proposing the use of 2.2 litre turbocharged V6 engines, designed to run on bio-fuel, and limited to 10,000 rpm.
The engines will need to last five races (as opposed to the current two), and will also utilise KERS - kinetic energy recovery system, to produce an output of around 770bhp.
Also proposed are the use of traction control, four-wheel-drive and a ‘push-to-pass’ system.
However, the most controversial proposal suggests that all development not concerned with the powertrain be “severely constrained.”
Speculation is that this will involve standard aero and possibly other standardised chassis parts.
These proposals however, are still yet to be officially presented to team bosses, and only form a suggested framework, with which to achieve Moseley’s desire to see F1 go green, and to have costs tumble.
However, as noble as these causes are, the direction Mosley seems to want to take F1 runs dangerously close to Champcar.
Lets imagine F1 in 2011, should these proposals become law.
Firstly the engines: 2.2 litre turbos with a 10,000rpm cap?
The roar at the start of each GP would be akin to a 125cc motorbike race, only whinier.
Secondly, this ‘push-to-pass’ thing is a motorsport phenomenon that is detrimental to the entire idea of racing.
Yes, many would agree that more overtaking is a good thing in F1, but if overtaking is something reduced to a simple push of a button, then what’s the point?
Bravery and skill go out the window, and cop-out, TV-friendly measures flood in.
Then of course, is the whole issue of standard aero.
It goes directly against the philosophy of F1, and would quite simply see many of F1’s top engineers leave the sport in order to seek a job worthy of their skill.
Yes it will cut costs, but it would also see F1 relegated to the same level as Champcar, the IRL and even GP2.
So, if Max wants to reduce costs and save fuel, why introduce such overly complicated and detrimental measures?
There are far simpler ways to do it.
Is this where F1 is headed?
And saving fuel? Mosley claims that the proposals will reduce fuel consumption by 30%, which is impressive.
But then, with Bernie seeking to add another couple of GP’s to the calendar, these savings become negated.
Why not simply take a race or two off the packed calendar, and spare us the whiny V6 turbos with a pithy 10,000rpm restrictor?
This is not the direction F1 should head, and it’s unlikely that many will disagree with that.
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Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
Who is Mosley kidding? These changes would kill the sport - I'd rather watch the A1GP if it comes down to this.
Charles.
Comment by Anonymous