Ferrari not happy with ‘green’ Formula One
Formula One looks set to go green in the near future according to a relatively environment-friendly setup for 2013. However, the Ferrari camp doesn’t seem all that impressed with the ‘evolution’.
The sport has seen 2.4 litre V8’s powering the cars on track for some time now. However, the engines for 2013 shall be 1.6 litres in capacity. However, to make up for the loss of power, turbo chargers will be introduced to run alongside the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) and complimented by fuel restrictors. The plan was accepted only last month by the World Motorsport Council (WMC).
However, while the environmental potential is undeniable, the change does came with its fair share of opposition. The CEO of the multi-million dollar motorsport Bernie Ecclestone had the following to say:
"We have a very good engine formula. Why should we change it to something that is going to cost millions of pounds and that nobody wants and that could end up with one manufacturer getting a big advantage?"
This time however, the Ferrari president, Luca Di Montezemolo, seems to have seconded Ecclestone’s views.
"We will not be building any [four-cylinder engines] for our street cars. For the top class of racing it sounds a bit pathetic. Why couldn't we have a V6 turbo? We should not confuse affordable with cheap."
The Italian’s words do make sense here. It could also be suggested here that the ‘green F1’ chant could merely be a move brought on by building pressure rather than a conscious change towards ‘efficiency’. Formula One has often been bashed as an activity that thrives on burning money and rubber.
However the Ferrari president conceded that if he were to go against the possible change, he couldn’t possibly do it alone and needed the support from the Formula One fraternity; including ‘competing’ teams.
"If there is the slightest possibility to delay the four-cylinder, I will look for it. We see a chance. We need unity."
The post-2013 scenario does bring an environmental factor to the table. However, it also focuses on ‘affordability’. With that said teams like Ferrari could be on the verge of losing their monopoly with the spending aspect out of the window. The resulting argument does make it rather unlikely that di Montezemolo might get much support from mid-table teams.
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