Todt: Society won't accept F1 returning to noisy engines

F1 stakeholders are due to begin talks within the next few weeks about concepts for engines beyond 2020, amid talk that the sport should move away from the current turbo hybrid V6 rules.

One suggestion has been for a simpler V8 engine – which could deliver as much power as F1 has currently but also bring a return to the noise of the past that some fans are craving.

But Todt has stated that F1 cannot divert off the path it has set on as it needs to remain road relevant with its technology.

"It will not be accepted by society," said Todt in the latest issues of the FIA's magazine Auto about the potential for V8 or V10 engines.

"We have a responsibility to run an organisation monitored by global society. And global society will not accept that.

"Indeed, I'm sure if you said, 'let's go back to engines from 10 years ago', many manufacturers would not support such a move. I'm convinced a minimum of three out of four would leave.

"Also, we know that stability is essential – firstly, to have as much competition as possible, and then to protect the investment. You cannot invest in new technology every year, it is not financially sustainable, and we already complain about the cost of racing, the cost of Formula 1 – a cost that for me is absurd."

Although the environmental impact of racing F1 cars is minimal, Todt believes that the sport has to be mindful of such concerns – and should make an effort to remain green.

He added: "When you see all of the emphasis that is put on climate change, on pollution, I feel we have the responsibility to participate. It is true a Formula 1 race will create less pollution than one plane going from Paris to New York, but we must be an example.

"And to be an example we cannot allow ourselves to create unnecessary pollution because it's just the wrong image."

Hydrogen the future

Speaking about where motor racing could be heading, Todt said that hydrogen engines could be the future.

"I'm convinced that hydrogen will be a technology that will be used in the future," said Todt.

"Maybe in five years the zero car in rallying will be a driverless car. I think motor sport is changing, will keep changing. But we must make sure that we keep the best ingredients together.

"Again, that is one of our responsibilities – to decide not what we will do next year, but what Formula One should be in 2021, in 2030 – what rallying should be, what endurance racing should be.

"The heart of the sport will still be there but it has to take into consideration the evolution of society.”