V12 says Berger!

[Marbot]

Gerhard Berger would like to see v12's return to F1,read at www.f1racing.net Would this be practical cost wise? Which engine configuration(s) would you like to see/hear?

[Mr V]

Would love to have V12's back in F1, if only for their sound, but it ain't gonna happen.

[Knowlesy]

I'd second that.

[Marbot]

I was thinking along the lines of something Norbert Haug suggested,perhaps a V12(of maybe 3.6 litres)that was larger in capacity that could last longer than 2 races meaning less engines would have to be built.

[f1manoz]

Love to hear the sounds of a V12 again, but due to these ridiculous new rules, it won't be happening anytime soon...

[Adam43]

I think 5l turbocharged V12s would be the order of the day.

[shiny side up!]

Methinks Mr. Ashmore must have some undisclosed holdings in the emergency healthcare industry...

[BSchneiderFan]

I hate the prescriptive nature of the regulations. Manufacturers should be allowed to build a straight-eight or a flat-four if they want to.

Both Honda and Toyota have examined V12 concepts in recent years.

[GP Racer]

Nothing sounds sweeter than a Ferrari V-12 in full roar!

But I do agree with BSchneider, these restrictive engine rules are stifling the creativity of the series. I think more engine makers would look to F1 if they were allowed to produce the engines they want, and are good at.

[Adam43]

I agree too. Variety, please. So I'll change my answer to turbocharged 6l, but any coniguration.

[Glen]

More enigne makers just cannot afford to do F1 - that's why we keep having more and more restrictions! A four or five year stint at the top end of F1 engine supply would cost around a billion dollars at least - that just can't be sustained. More exotic configurations and solutions would be even more expensive. Perhaps if more open rules were combined with very strict regulations about materials it might be possible, but just don't see the point.

[Adam43]

While I agree with your reasoning Glen, it pretty dull situation IMHO.

[Glen]

Nearly 20,000 rpm and 1,000bhp doesn't sound dull to me. Even when we have the V8s we'll only be going back about three or four years in bhp terms, and the rpm level will likely be as high or higher than now, pluas the engines and cars will be lighter. What's so dull about that?

[Happy Snapper]

Originally posted by GP Racer
Nothing sounds sweeter than a Ferrari V-12 in full roar!

But I do agree with BSchneider, these restrictive engine rules are stifling the creativity of the series. I think more engine makers would look to F1 if they were allowed to produce the engines they want, and are good at.

BRM V16 !

[Adam43]

Originally posted by Glen
Nearly 20,000 rpm and 1,000bhp doesn't sound dull to me. ... What's so dull about that?

Compared to having those things AND variety I think it is dull. The figures are impressive and exciting the variety would be interesting and exciting.

[Marbot]

Engines with cylinders in multiples of 3 ie 3,6,9,12 always seem to sound better,why is that?

[Happy Snapper]

Cos they can! My old Norton 600 single would do the "suck, squeeze, bang, blow malarkey every other telegraph pole there were no lamp posts were I lived.

[eein]

While I can understand the reasons behind the restrictions, it would be nice to see manufacturers free to make what engine they want. The cars would soon end up with similar amounts of power, but probably very different characteristics such that there would be much more overtaking and excitment in a race. When the cars have the same power and characteristics as they do now, things get processional.

Maybe 'alternative' restrictions could be put in place. For example;
- any engine format, but it must last 3 race weekends and not use exotic materials.
- any engine format, but it must only use X amount of fuel in a race.
- any engine format, but limited top speed of 200 mph and a limited lateral G around corners (FIA G meters to be fitted to cars).

[mountainstar]

I'd love for V-12's to come back. This whole 2.4 litre V8 business sucks.

[Rich R]

maybe they should ban v10s, and give you the choice of 8 or 12 cylinders. both have their good and bad characteristics, whereas v10 engines have always struck me as being to perfect a compromise between power and driveability.

[BSchneiderFan]

No no no. I hate the idea of banning things. It should simply be a free choice. If you can make a V12 work, good on you. Likewise if you want a flat four, knock yourself out.

[GP Racer]

Every car maker has its strengths, but in F1, most cannot play to them.

For instance, American manufacurers have a long history making some great V-8 engines, arguably the best in the world, but they cannot use them in F1. Porsche has their fantastic Flat-6, that can get a great amount of HP, but again, they are no use in modern F1 due to the regs. Ferrari, obviously their V-12s are it for them(although their V-10s ain't bad! LOL!).

So if different engines were allowed to play in F1, something similar to sports cars, I believe that alot more engine manufacturers would show some interest.

Wouldn't it be great to close your eyes at the track, and actually be able to know which car just went by, just from the sound - "there goes the Porsche, and thats definetly the Ferrari, and listen to that Dodge come on strong!" OK, OK, I'm dreamin!

[browney]

Why can't the rules be like motogp, where you can build several different types of engines under 990cc. Different engine configurations lead to different minimum weights. This leads to bikes with different charicteristics (ie. the more flickable nimble yamaha vs. the more powerfull honda).