Skip to main content

Recommended for you

Breaking news

Symonds thinks 1000bhp engines not a priority for Formula One

Williams's chief technical officer Pat Symonds believes 1000bhp Formula One engines should not be one of the sport's priorities.

Felipe Massa, Williams F1 Team
Pat Symonds, Williams Chief Technical Officer
Mercedes AMG F1 W06 engine cover
Scuderia Toro Rosso STR10 engine cover detail
Red Bull Racing RB11 engine cover and rear suspension detail

Amid a push to make grand prix racing more spectacular, Formula One chiefs are set to introduce rules that make the engines more powerful in the hope cars become harder to drive. 

But while the move has been backed by some of the drivers and team bosses, Symonds thinks the sport's focus should be elsewhere.

The Williams boss reckons that coming up with a sustainable business model that makes the lives of the smaller teams easier should be the top priority at the moment, as he thinks the current engine formula is working well.

"It is possible to have these kind of cars - and not even particularly difficult," Symonds told the official Formula One website.

"I would not say that I am dreaming about such a car - but then I am realistic, not a dreamer.

"At the moment what we need is to provide a decent business solution and not lose teams because it is so expensive. These are far more important concerns.

"1000hp cars - great, good fun! But is that the right thing for F1 at the moment? I am not sure.

"I think what we've done with the power unit for 2014 was absolutely the right thing to do - probably we didn't make enough of it. 1000hp cars are not an instant cure.

"The Toyota Le Mans car has also 1000hp, and it is not more spectacular than a Formula One car.

"Last year we had some great racing, so let's concentrate on racing and not follow wishful thinking."

Previous article Grosjean says new Lotus a huge step forward
Next article Confident Lotus unconcerned about arriving late to Jerez test

Top Comments

Latest news