V8 Controversy Begins
Written by George Katinger · November 22, 2005
With the Engine makers cooking up their new 2.4 liter V8 motors for the 2006 season, some have taken a dim view of competing against “detuned” V10’s. Have you read that some where once before?
speedtv.com: Honda Calls for Stricter F1 V10 Restrictions
news.bbc.co.uk: Renault confident over new engine
planet-f1.com: Q&A: Rob White
Me thinks so. The take may be nominally different but the problem is the same. Honda and Renault are both coming to realize that there ain’t no thump in that V8 lump! (Yes Wholly, I’m stealing your lines!) Especially running against torque advantaged V10’s.
The only team intending to run the V10 is Squadra Toro Scuderia Rosso, or whatever the hell they’re calling themselves next year! I say let the ex-Minardi boys have some advantage, maybe even contend for a podium, or god forbid, win a race? Talk about reinvigorating interest in a failing sport!
By mid-season all the heavy hitters will have stepped up their chassis and engine designs to the point where Toro Rosso will revert to their back of the grid status. Let them have a brief moment of sunshine basking before you cloud up on their parade! It would be great to see them fighting for points at the front of the grid at least once in my lifetime.
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I’m with you George on letting STR have a go; however I cannot see the other teams being happy about it. Points for the minor placing’s extend down to 8 th position and are worth gold, I can hear the mid grid teams howling now. With STR being firmly in the FIA camp perhaps GPMA team’s protestations will fall on Max’s deaf ears. BTW check out the just launched GPMA web site. It has a very corporate grey feel to it (I smell Ron Dennis).
http://www.gpma-online.com/
I still can’t work out if this is one massive sabre rattling bluff, are they really prepared to go it alone?
“Squadra Toro Scuderia Rosso”
Hmmm… over reading my scoop on the Scuderia thing have you George?
:-)
Peter,
Thanks for the link, I guess they can’t afford color graphics yet. The cold, black and white format is not McLaren, just sterile and boring. If there’s one thing you can say about our boy Ron, he’s never boring!
As for how serious the GPMA is, the bigger the bet the bolder the bluff would be my take. If guys like us can get a website going that’s certainly not a bold step is it?
Ultimately the best bluff is the one with a factual basis, and if left unchecked they just may go off on their own. An option no race fan can possibly want.
Marc,
As a matter of fact I probably did first notice that name change at Full Throttle. Your site’s getting like the New York Times, just taken for granted. I’d hook a link to “Full Throttle” but I just don’t know how, what with my newly opposable thumbs and all.
I personally would love to see “Minardi” actually fighting for points, but not STR, not with a seemingly unfair advantage. How much money is Red Bull pouring into STR?
Modify last years RB01 and make a deal with Cosworth to run their V8. I’d like to see Cosworth getting development from two teams. It might give Williams a fighting chance (this from a Ferrari fan).
There really aren’t any teams strapped enough for cash that need to run a de-tuned V10.
Sorry Tim, I for one would love to see STR do well. Red Bull has done more for driver development in F1 & the lower categories than most of the F1 teams combined. That Minardi seat launched Alonso, Fisi, Trulli, Webber, Wilson & Davidson into F1, unfortunately Paul Stoddart, of late, was stuck running paying no hopers. STR seem to be continuing this theme, it is the only stepping stone to F1 for most new drivers. Red Bull are doing everything that Stoddart would have had he been able to raise the capital, I wish them well. Nothing would give me more pleasure than seeing STR finishing in the points under the noses of the mid field manufacturers. Herr Matershitz may be the best thing to come to F1 for a long time. I see no manufacturer running a junior team, save Honda’s self serving proposed Sato wagon, (if it even makes the grid).
You misunderstand me, peterg. I would also love to see STR finishing in the points. Especially if Scott Speed is behind the wheel. I just don’t want that happening with an unfair advantage (whether that is perceived or real is still to be determined) over the other teams. You know if STR is all of a sudden fighting for points while running a de-tuned V10, everyone else will be crying foul.
I agree that that Red Bull is bringing an interesting mix to F1. They’ve got that young team, rock ‘n’ roll feel to them. I just don’t want to see controversy spoiling that.
They (FIA) will follow Honda’s suggestion and further limit the performance of the “de-tuned” V10. The loophole was created to help out the cash poor teams during the transition year, not to give them a performance edge.
If they don’t, other teams will leave the V8 in the crate and run the V10’s also.