Cutting costs more important than 1000hp - engineer

A former F1 engineer thinks the sport has bigger problems than a potential move to 1000-plus horse power engines. According to Italian specialist publication Autosprint, the sport's powerbrokers will meet next week to discuss again the possibility of adapting the current turbo V6s to produce more sound and power by 2017.

The idea is gaining widespread assent up and down the pitlane. "I think we do need to evolve, to improve," Red Bull boss Christian Horner is quoted as saying. "We need to make the cars more spectacular and difficult to drive so that the talent of the drivers can be seen."

But Ossi Oikarinen, a Finnish engineer who worked with several F1 teams including Toyota, BMW and Ferrari until 2009, thinks the sport should concentrate first on its most pressing problem. Backmarkers Marussia and Caterham have collapsed, while midfielders Force India, Sauber and Lotus are reportedly also all in financial strife.

"Curbing rising costs is not easy," Oikarinen told the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti, "but if they are not, then independent teams like Sauber will not survive. I think that's the problem that should be solved first, before thinking about how to increase engine power," he added.

Today, Oikarinen works in the premier German touring car series DTM, which he says is "a very entertaining series, but compared to formula one has relatively modest costs". (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar