Formula One’s technical experts are concerned that safety regulations are unable to safeguard drivers given the rapid development in engine power output in the sport.
In a controversial move that is sure to upset Formula One’s never-ending quest for increased engine power and faster lap times, leading technical experts want to take the sport’s engine manufacturers to task amid growing concern about increasing speeds.
According to a report in Autosport, engine manufacturers want to keep the current three-litre, V10 regulations static for the next six years. However, recent meetings of Formula One’s technical working group, have suggested that engine outputs could increase to over 700 kW by the time the regulations can be adjusted for 2008.
A leading technical director, who wished to remain anonymous, told Autosport: “We all want to make the cars safe, but there’s not a lot more we can do. With 700 kW engines on the horizon, the power output is getting out of proportion to the cars”.
Engine manufacturers were reportedly asked whether changes could be made before the end of 2007 to limit development, but they were reluctant.
Suggestions to reduce speeds by other methods, such as changing the tyres or aerodynamics, have been problematic. Furthermore, the performance of this year’s cars compared to those of last year, indicate that current regulations are unable to slow the cars down. The current F1 tyre war precludes the former, and reducing downforce would increase the straightline speeds and could produce unbalanced cars.
Changes to next year’s technical regulations, in any form, are unlikely, but some alterations seem certain in time for the 2003 season, Autosport said.