V6 engines in 2011?

UPDATE #2 The Formula 1 manufacturers do not seem to be very impressed with the suggestion that F1 should use 2.2-litre turbo-diesels from 2011 and beyond. According to the manufacturers we have spoken to, there is no interest at all in such engines in F1. The manufacturers argue that such a radical change would end up being hugely expensive, because of the investment needed in research and development; some also argue that turbo-diesels are not in line with their product ranges. There is also a feeling that the low-revving engines would not produce a sound that would be right for F1. Grandprix.com

05/24/07 BMW's Mario Theissen said the reduction in revs, half what cars were reaching two years ago, could be positive.

"I remember back in the turbo times, we had only a four cylinder engine, only 1.5 liters and only about 11,000 rpm but still more than 1,000 horsepower and it was so exciting," he said.

"So it's not just about engine speed. Maybe it will be about power again instead of revs."

The characteristic wail of a Formula One engine, so resonant in Monaco with the circuit hemmed in by buildings and the harbourside basin, is likely to change to a deeper rumble but noise levels will remain high.

Theissen said the use of biofuels was a challenge.

"Generally we support going in this direction," he said.

"But, again, it requires careful discussion because biofuel only makes sense if it's from regenerative resources and if these resources are available in a quantity which is relevant to road car fuelling as well."

Diesel technology, already used to power Audi to success in the Le Mans 24 Hour sportscar race, was not possible under current proposals.

"If we don't want to go below 10,000 rpm, then diesel is not an option," said Theissen.

"There are many open questions and issues to be solved, but generally we think it's a positive move," Theissen said of discussions between the governing body and Formula One manufacturers about major technical changes from 2011.

"The ambition to pioneer road car-relevant technology through Formula One certainly will be beneficial to the role Formula One plays and the positioning of Formula One," he added in an interview with Reuters at the Monaco Grand Prix.

"As a technology frontrunner, BMW is happy about such a course.

"The difficult issue is certainly to keep costs under control and it will be important to make sure that really only road car- relevant technology will be put into the regulations in order to have this technology transfer and pioneering role.

"We need enough lead time to do the job with the resources currently available," added Theissen.

05/18/07 Max Mosley has proposed a new engine rule for the 2011 season. The 2.4-litre V8 engine would be replaced by an eco-friendly 2.2-litre turbocharged V6 engine running on biofuel. It's been only 2 years that the V10 engines have been exchanged for V8 engines.

The 2.2-litre V6 engines would develop around 770 horsepower. Mosley plans to restrict the number of revs and wants to set the limit at 10,000rpm. This would make the F1 cars quieter than the current cars. The proposal also says that the engines have to last five Grand Prix weekends instead of the current two.