F1 to make cars louder with ceramic 'microphone'
- Published on 26 Sep 2017 09:44
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- By: Rob Veenstra
F1 owner Liberty Media is backing an initiative to make the cars louder. Ever since the new 'power unit' era began in 2014, insiders and fans have complained that the loss of F1's iconic high volume is hurting the sport.
A sort of exhaust 'megaphone' was tested and abandoned, but last year the FIA announced that it is working with the teams to develop a "sound generator" to improve the "intensity and quality" of the turbo V6s.
Now, Spain's Marca said new F1 owner Liberty Media is also backing the moves to make F1 louder. "We have to amplify the sound, as in all the market research we do, it is very important to the fans," said the sport's commercial boss Sean Bratches.
The Spanish sports newspaper said the latest idea is in the form of a "microphone", which is being worked on by Australian television producer David Hill. "He is working on the development of a ceramic microphone that can be attached to the exhaust pipe to obtain an amplification of the sound of the cars for the fans," Bratches explained. (GMM)
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Replies (11)
Login to replyHombibi
Posts: 137
I am surprised that Liberty Media doesn't really understand how 98% of the spectators watch a race: from a tv set, at home. I can guarantee that these spectators don't care about louder engines. The ones that want loud just turn up the volume but most of them have sounds levels that do not require hearing protection, risk their children's hearing, or create a conflict with the neighbors on Sunday afternoon.
kngrthr
Posts: 203
i second that.
size isn't everything.
plenty of other things to fix before worrying about ear destroying dB.
I've never seen a sound level warning sign at a track. wonder what would happen if someone sued
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
The thing is, it's not necessarily about louder engines. It's about better sounding engines. This solution probably won't make much of a difference, the fundamental soundtrack of the PUs won't change, just because you amplify it.
The engines in F2 sounds amazing compared to their F1 counterparts. I hope that is taken into consideration with the 2020 rules.
By the way, the turning the volume up on your TV set only works if you're watching without announcers. Which most people aren't.
Hombibi
Posts: 137
If you want to hear the commentators I don't think you want the cars be so loud you can't hear them. But if you really want the cars sound loud than than most subscription providers provide channels that don't have comments. Still much cheaper than trying to attend all races live. Even that high end surround set won't dent compared to flying around the world every two weeks.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
Well, if you read what I wrote that would be a nice start...
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Once again, we seem to agree on something. Either way, the loudness of the engines shouldnt be a priority IMO. Better make them more reliable and less expensive first.
HEINZ
Posts: 61
^^^^ This guy gets it! I have exactly the same opinion. They should focus on making the cars not to sound like a vaccum cleaner. The twin turbo engine they want to introduce should solve this issue. But obviously we would prefer some simple modification to be made asap.
krommenaas
Posts: 155
I want to hear what today's engines sound like, not an imitation of what yesterday's engines sounded like. As long as it doesn't grate on year ears like Formula E, of course.
Freguz
Posts: 160
Rather pathetic idea, no amplifying please
Kean
Posts: 692
I really don't think the sound should be high on their list of priorities, there are more important aspects to deal with such as the quality of the racing and the huge gaps there are between the top and middle teams and the middle and the bottom teams.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Why not use a 50W speaker at the back of car that makes a roar of a Dinosaur? a missed opportunity.