Technical F1 Engines - Where to for the future?

[F1Brits_90]

im just guessing, but this is a terrible indication of the how successful there 2026 project is going that. if people making the engine dont want it who will

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/alpine-could-abandon-renault-engines-and-become-f1-customer-team-in-2026/10624346/

 

[cider_and_toast]

Could you imagine that in the car industry? At a BMW board meeting "This new engine of ours is a bit shit isn't it. Anyone fancy giving General Motors a ring and seeing if we can have one of theirs?"

 

[F1Brits_90]

Alpine cant be in the sport for long. as it appears to be dire over there. 2 drivers who seemingly are looking for the exit, Bruno Famin only in the job because im guessing when he took interim charge from Vice Principal of Alpine Motorsport, nobody else wanted it. now an engine they dont want

 

[FB]

There are so many companies using parts (or entire cars) from other manufacturers these days. Your beloved Lotus, cider_and_toast, used engines for pretty much anyone who would sell them to them, in F1 and there road cars. Lamborghini designed the light housings on the Diablo in such a way that it covered the Nissan logo and the Mercilago repeaters were off a MK2 Ford Focus . The Mercedes X Class is a Nissan Navarro in shell suit.

Alpine need another couple of teams to use the Renault engine to justify the Regie continuing to make the motors. Perhaps if the FIA would let another team or two onto the grid there might be some customers.

 

[cider_and_toast]

Your beloved Lotus, @cider_and_toast, used engines for pretty much anyone who would sell them to them, in F1 and there road cars

This is true. My Elan M100 is mostly a 1991 Vauxhall Astra with an Isuzu engine

The difference here is that Alpine are supposed to be Renault. That's the odd part. It's as odd as Ferrari having a Mercedes engine.

Though we all know the roles that Illmor and Mugen have played in the past getting their more famous owners up the grid.

 

[FB]

Although McLaren now have their own engine manufacturing business, albeit made with a partner who knows how to make engines, but still use Mercedes power units in F1. Meanwhile, a bubble gum flavoured drinks company and knocking up their own PUs, or so they say.

 

[cider_and_toast]

Wonder what you'd find if you whipped off the "Made in Austria" tally plate on their engines?

 

[F1Brits_90]

Wonder what you'd find if you whipped off the "Made in Austria" tally plate on their engines?

Honda 2021

 

[F1Brits_90]

with how close the season is looking, F1 is currently seemingly terrified of mercedes 2014 & red bull 2023 scenario & incredibly are thinking of ditching the 2026 engines & keeping the current ones, before switching to V10's

https://twitter.com/x/status/1902296590200488215

The F1 community has been discussing an emergency plan for the future for weeks. It sounds like a crazy idea, but it's getting more and more of a serious background. The current regulations are to be extended by 2 years in order to then switch directly to cheaper V10 engines that run on climate-neutral fuel. That would be a complete U-turn from F1's plans to make the sport even more attractive for car companies.

The starting point was a song of praise by F1 boss Stefano Domenicali for the V10 engine. Powered by climate-neutral fuel, it would be a solution for the premier class, Domenicali thought aloud. It is cheaper & simpler than the current drive units & also than the hybrid drive planned from 2026. It allows smaller & lighter cars.

What initially sounded like a dream of the future suddenly gained momentum. F1 management has other reasons to fear the big rule reform next year. It could jeopardize the balance in the field and thus the tension. With new cars, new engines, new tires and the great unknown e-fuels, there is a great danger that one person will interpret the new rules better than everyone else and then put on a show.

 

[Andyoak]

Surely scrapping all the development work, already done for the 2026 spec engines, is going to piss off all the manufacturers.

Much as I love the sound of a V10, there was still engine dominance back then.

Seems like a knee jerk reaction to a problem that isn't there.

 

[F1Brits_90]

Seems like a knee jerk reaction to a problem that isn't there.

i think its more of issue with how heavy & wide the cars have become when lewis hamilton made his debut in 2007 the car weighed 605kg, at the race start his ferrari weighed 910kg, only 100kg lighter than the Ferrari that won Le Mans

 

[Andyoak]

In that case revert to the 1950s.
They were a lot lighter and smaller than 2008.

 

[F1Brits_90]

In that case revert to the 1950s.
They were a lot lighter and smaller than 2008.

& alot more deadly

but i think the question has been answered are we technological showcase or are we entertainment. at the moment motorsport is taking on different challenges. F1 needs to find its own niche. WEC is working out your Hybrids & potential Hydrogen. Formula E is focusing on Batteries.

so No Need for F1 to go down them Roads so lets F1 go down the sustainable fuels road with a V8 -V10 Engine. you probably go from £60m a season to what £4-5m a season. your pleasing the fans who always say how much they miss the sound. & the cars will be alot more nimbler & look quicker