Who would have ever thought that the dominator of these new Formula 1 engine rules defines himself as a “purist” and pushes for the return to V8s. Toto Wolff has expressed all his doubts about the current power units despite Mercedes dominating the standings also thanks to an engine that – apart from the FIA ranking – is the current benchmark for all other competitors.
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The Austrian manager already seems to be looking at the next regulatory cycle, which could materialize in 2030 or 2031 and on which teams, FIA, and Formula 1 are already working collaboratively. A reasoning also seen with Max Verstappen, who made the possible return to V8s one of the reasons to accept the extension of his contract with Red Bull.
A step back
The rumors leaked – thanks precisely to the direct parties involved – speak of V8 engines still partly powered by an electric source, but significantly less than those of the power unit era. In other words, it could be a sort of KERS (system used between 2009 and 2013) enhanced that would definitively close the era of turbo hybrid engines.
“These engines are currently very complex and only now are we beginning to understand them because they have revolutionized the way of racing. Some like them because there are many overtakes in the race, others don’t: the drivers who adapt the most win” Wolff said to RacingNews365.
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“I am talking with the FIA president, with Stefano Domenicali and with the other engine manufacturers – Wolff added – In the medium-long term, we are talking about a time horizon of three or four years, we will return to internal combustion engines. Ben Sulayem wants a V8 engine, which has a nice sound, and a more compact battery. I believe that the ratio between power delivered by the internal combustion engine and the battery would be around 80:20, with a total power of 1000 HP.
I don’t know if it will be naturally aspirated or not, but I believe this is the direction Formula 1 is taking at the moment, and I, as a purist, appreciate it“.
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Wolff on the pre-start: “It sounds like a fire alarm”
There was also a jab at the current start system, with a 5-second pre-start phase to allow drivers to prepare the turbo: “I can’t stand cars revving on the starting grid for 10 seconds. It sounds like a fire alarm”.
It is still somewhat striking to hear these words from someone who, first and foremost, fought for this solution limiting the start problems caused by his own team’s design choices…
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