First Controversy For 2006: V8’s Vs. V10’s
Written by George Katinger · October 18, 2005
Yes the roar of the engines have barely left our ears and we may be facing the first controversy of the 2006 regulations foisted on the teams by Max and the FIA: 2.4 liter V8’s running against rev limited V10’s.
grandprix.com: The V10 formula of 2006?
The Squadra Toro Rosso team are planning on using rev limited V10’s for the next two years as opposed to building a new chassis to accept the new 2.4 liter V8’s. This is the legacy of Paul Stoddart’s Minardi team.
I think the V10’s may have an inherent advantage over the new V8’s that rev limiting may not overcome. That would be an overwhelming torque advantage. The larger V10 will no doubt generate substantially more grunt than the new V8 package. As any racer will tell you, the most initial torque coming out of a corner will give you a great advantage, even if the two engines deliver equal horsepower.
So after testing out their new V8 engines I think there will be some engine designers out there who quickly realize that when it comes to on track competition, they would rather have gobs of pound/feet as opposed to unlimted horsepower. It may even help out in the dreaded reliability issues. Are you listening Norbert? A detuned high torque V10 would be loafing at reduced revs, and yet produce neck snapping torque for superior acceleration.
Not even through the first week of the off season and I’m missing the racing already! If only we had A1GP televised here in the states.
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11 Responses to “First Controversy For 2006: V8’s Vs. V10’s”
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Correct me if I’m wrong, but I did not think the option of running rev limited V10’s for all teams was an option.My understanding was that a independent, specifically Minardi,was a special exception & that it was for one or two seasons only.Regardless, it’s just another thing we can blame on the presidency of Max
You may be right Peter, the GrandPrix posting made it sound like it was optional for everybody. We’ll have to root around for more info!
I found this from a FIA release.
“During 2006 and 2007, teams which cannot obtain a 2.4 litre engine will be able to use a 3 litre V10 with power restricted by means of a rev limit fixed by the FIA.
Explanation: this will ensure that all teams (including new entrants) have access to a competitive engine, even if supplies of the new 2.4 are initially restricted”
George, we are probably just stoking the fires of controversy but it would be funny if one of the manufacturers ran a restricted V10 using some loophole in the regs.
“…teams which cannot obtain a 2.4 litre engine…”
You always find a way to deflate my fun! What if the team chooses NOT to make a V8? Same thing as “cannot obtain”?
I stand corrected, again,….. I will deflate your fun no longer as I have removed my tin foil hat until Melbourne 2006
And I stopped drinking… hic!
FYI, you can see the A1GP races on their web site, live or on-demand. See the large central panel on their main page at A1GP.com.
this new engine rule will no doubt create a lot of confusion, even when the season starts next year. we shall just wait and see what the teams come up with. a lot of reviews have stated that ferrari will be the least benefitted with the v8, as they don’t have prior experience with it as compared to renault, honda, toyota, cosworth, and mercedes.
as for a1gp, given that they have only ran two races, a lot of improvements can still be done. i don’t quite like the pit stops because they seem too much like a formality. and when they have to rush out to the car as it pits is definitely hilarious. btw, they could further improve the tv graphics and provide more information. with that said, i think the potential is limitless. thank god for a1 as f1 sleeps.
Gee cccp I’m not sure about Toyota & Mercedes having more experience with V8’s than Ferrari, do you mean their sports car programmes. The last F1 engine manufacturer to have any F1 experience with an 8 is Cosworth, that was in 1994 & the leap in engine technology in the last decade has been huge. I have a funny feeling the engine manufactures will surprise us, these V8 are essentially the V10 with two cylinders lopped off and the bore capacity will stay exactly the same. There is going to be a large level technological fall out from the old programmes, as I understand it the biggest problem overcoming the inherent vibration. I don’t think Ferrari will be disadvantaged any more that the other manufacturers, save Cosworth.
As I understand it, Melbourne will host the Goodwill Games in March 2006 and F1 will start elsewhere.
Melbourne hosts the commonwealth games in March 2006, so Bernie has made Australia the third round in the first week of April.He has a similar problem with the World Cup soccer in Europe mid year.