Alain Prost has stated that none of the constructors currently competing in Formula 1 wants a return to V8 or V10 engines. Recently, there have been a number of meetings held in which the next set of engine regulations have been discussed.
Formula 1 last raced with naturally-aspirated V8 engines back in 2013, before there was a switch to V6 engines with hybrid power. Prost has doubts that motorsport's pinnacle will ever return to these engines due to a shift in mentality and approach of global manufacturers.
"The way they are thinking now, there are no constructors who would like to go back to normally-aspirated engines," Prost told Crash.net. "They would like to have engines at least not as complicated as what we have today, but keep the electricity involved in a different way, maybe using it in different things. They would not like to go back, which makes sense."
In recent weeks, Mercedes announced that it was pulling out of DTM to focus on Formula E, the growing all electric racing series. Similarly, Porsche revealed it was to be leaving LMP1 to focus on Formula E. Prost thinks that manufacturers are right to take up an interest in both series.
"Formula 1 is the pinnacle of technology. Maybe you could change the regulations sometimes and use different technology," Prost said. "If a constructor on the road is going to make different cars, why wouldn’t you be in Formula 1 and Formula E at the same time? It makes sense.
"We’re learning a lot. It’s good for everybody. When you are a worldwide company, you have a different way of marketing or selling products. You have to be in all kinds of things. It’s a world where it’s moving a lot. If you are in different areas, it’s better."
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (2)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I'd like to see something like SH-AWD in F1. I know its against the legacy of F1 to have AWD, but it would make sense from an innovative point of view. Either way, hybrid is the way to go. I have mixed feelings about the potential removal of the MGU-H with the new regulations. Its a really innovative thing, and is supposedly more powerful than KERS, but its also expensive and very unreliable, and has yet to contribute to the fun of the racing. So maybe its for the best.
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Does F1 really need to? Dont think so