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Wolff: "It's the wrong strategy to crawl back to V8s"

Published on 14 Aug 2017 11:10
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By: Sam Gale

Mercedes team boss, Toto Wolff has said it will be wrong to go back to engine formulas of the past for the 2021 season and maintained that F1 must move forward technologically. The current engines have been highly criticized as too expensive, too technical and too quiet, so there is heavy discussion about how to make a more attractive engine formula going forward.

The discussions are currently being led by Ross Brawn who is F1's motorsport managing director and are involving all of the current engine manufacturers plus names unfamiliar to F1 who have been intrigued at the direction of F1 in the future.

Current discussions seem to be leaning towards retaining a V6 engine with a twin turbo, but scaling back the highly technical and expensive hybrid elements of the current engines. Some have seen this as a bit of a disappointment and are calling for the new more care free owners of F1, Liberty media, who are advised by Brawn to consider a return to louder more exciting engines of the past such as the V8s and V10s.

Mercedes team boss Wolff however has said this would be the wrong thing to do saying: "I strongly believe that F1 stands for high technology and innovation, performance, If you try to crawl back in time to the famous 80’s and 90’s, just because you liked it so much, it is the wrong strategy."

He then went on to say how the current engines aren't exactly the correct solution but maintains that by the end of the year the formula for 2021 will be agreed upon and that the V6s can remain in a workable manner saying: " We are looking at the variables of how we can achieve that, and in so far as everybody has been pretty much on the same path, I believe by the end of the year we can come to a close and say this is what we want to do in 2021."

Sam Gale

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527

Nevermind sound, we need reliability.

1
Aug 14 2017 - 16:04

F1 News Mercedes

Replies (6)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
I agree with him. At the very least, its the wrong move to go back to N/A V8s.
- + 0
- Aug 14 2017 - 12:04
f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
I don't see a problem with the engine, its the sound that needs addressing
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- Aug 14 2017 - 12:07
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Nevermind sound, we need reliability.
  + 1
  
  Aug 14 2017 - 16:04
RogerF1

Posts: 501
I'm not so sure on reliability "in isolation". Engine blow ups have always added spice to races. What is more damaging is the farcical grid penalties that ensue and the strangulation of development with ridiculous token system. V6's have become mainstream in current and future super sports Road cars and next generation are continuing that trend. Toto is right, if you go back to V8's their power density would have to be scaled back from what V6's can achieve. That's not a technological move forward.
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- Aug 15 2017 - 06:03
Hombibi

Posts: 137
He has a point, F1 is supposed to be the top of technological innovation. Never mind the sound, that's such a red herring. I'd think the teams need more freedom to build a car to compensate engine differences. See the diff between Renault engined teams. And that is with the current rules.
Allow for wide and varied innovation to make up the differences. And get rid of stupid gimmicks as DRS... Oh and while I am at it, reduce all wing surfaces, drastically.
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- Aug 15 2017 - 06:58
Barron

Posts: 625
I agree with Toto here but with this caveat. Once you let the racing teams dictate the rules, then you're toast. RIP WEC.
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- Aug 15 2017 - 10:53