7 replies to this topic

[John Woods]

Good show, just released, just found, still viewing:https://www.youtube....h?v=QxQhi9Ai4Bk

[MK3424]

Good video, still has some errors...

[Millennium]

MK3424, on Apr 06 2021 - 08:20 AM, said:

Good video, still has some errors...

Indeed, they went from V10 era (with V8 footage) straight to the current Turbo V6's.

[jgf]

Evolution.  Naturally gives variety, in the automotive world it breeds spec racers.

[Michkov]

That's more regulation driven than evolutionary

[TvO]

Exactly, no evolution there, just regulation

[jgf]

Yes, but the topic title is "evolution" of the F1 engine.

Though it is the same in all major racing series, draconian regulations have stifled creativity.  For my tastes, as an engineer and technophile, F1 was more interesting when you could see numerous different engines in a season;  NASCARE was more interesting when a Ford was based on Ford running gear, a Chevy on Chevy running gear, etc.;  Indycar was more interesting when there were several chassis options, several engine options, two tire options.  Today all three series are a step from being spec racers.  Yes, except for Indycar all teams build their own engines, but when specifications are so stringent they state the weight of pushrods and the thickness of gaskets how much individuality can you expect?  (Some years ago the NASCARE championship was not decided by performance but by the thickness of a carb gasket at one race - the driver was docked 50 points for the gasket being too thick ...and lost the championship by 30 points.  Ridiculous.)

I recently read a blog where someone proposed that NASCAR now stands for National Association of Spec Car Auto Racing;  I see F1 moving in that direction, the engines are nearly there now, how long before body templates are instituted and only tiny nuances are left to differentiate a Ferrari from a Mercedes?  (At least they cannot follow NASCARE's silliness of painting on headlights.)

Now I have nothing against spec series per se, IROC was a great series, SRF is one of the most popular SSCA classes, but I loathe when slowly encroaching regulations cause a once vibrant series to devolve to spec racer status.

Edited by jgf, Apr 10 2021 - 08:35 AM.

[Michkov]

Fully with you there jgf. Just imagine what F1 would do with X Joules for Y km as an engine rule set.