FIA looks to 'simpler' F1 ahead of engine talks

With opinions split about whether F1 should continue down the turbo hybrid route or even revert to simpler, louder engines, the discussions are not likely to be very straightforward.

The FIA has invited all the current F1 manufacturers, plus some not currently involved, to sound them out about the direction from 2021.

Motorsport.com understand that Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali is to attend as a representative of the Volkswagen Group - with the German car giant having long kept a watching brief in such meetings when engine rules have been discussed

Less technology

FIA president Jean Todt has indicated, however, that he would like to see F1 embark upon a slightly different path – where technology is pulled back to help improve the show.

"If you take me through a Formula 1 car, I think the cars are too sophisticated, probably too high-technology, which is not needed for the sport," explained Todt.

"It's a very sensitive point because on one side motoring is evolving and it would be very difficult to say the pinnacle of motorsport is not following the evolution of motoring.

"I am not thinking of having an autonomous car or connected cars in Formula 1, but that's what the world is facing and what manufacturers are facing with electronics on the car and powertrains, which are completely different. So we have to see how we can translate that into motorsport, and of course include that in Formula 1."

He added: "Nevertheless, I feel it is too expensive, too complicated, in a way too reliable. I am shocked when I see the first day of testing in Barcelona.

"I remember in my time when we were able to do five laps it was: 'Fantastic, we did five laps.' I saw cars were doing 70 or 80 laps. They have been building laboratories in the factories where nobody has access."

Electric future

One issue that manufacturers will have to decide upon is the extent to which electric power will plan in future F1 engines.

But while car makers are pushing hard down that route, Todt is not convinced that going all electric would be right for grand prix racing.

"The big limitation of electric cars is autonomy and time of recharging," he said. "The best car, whatever is said on the marketing side, the best autonomy is about 200km with a recharging time between six to eight hours.

"So for me I see a very good future for electric cars in cities, which incidentally is why we want to promote one electric championship car, single seater, in the cities.

"A lot of cars are still diesel, a lot of cars are hybrid, downsized engines with turbo and energy recovery, and I see a lot of future with fuel cells.

"Probably fuel cells are completely different technology where a lot of cars are quite well advanced between 600-1000km and a recharging time of about three minutes.

"I think we are considering introducing [fuel cells] in some category of motor sport in the future. But if we speak about F1, F1 will still be run with the more conventional engine. That does not mean we are intending to go back to what we were running ten years ago. That will never happen."