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From GMM
The sport might now be called "formula engine", at least in the early phase of 2014, according to Mercedes' Niki Lauda.
The German marque has got a jump on its rival suppliers Ferrari and Renault after the revolutionary switch from normally-aspirated engines to the significantly energy recovery-boosted turbo V6s.
The milder tones of the engines got the thumbs-down from the Melbourne punters on Friday, who pined for the old days of earplugs over these 'sewing machines on wheels'.
Mercedes' Toto Wolff is unapologetic.
"This is modern technology, this is where road cars are going," he said on Friday. "Downsizing is the motto and I think we just need to accept that the formula has changed."
It is not just the sport's noise that has changed. Lauda said that even though the drivers are still in the spotlight, F1 is effectively now 'formula engine'.
"For the first five races we're not going to see formula one, but a 'formula engine'," he told the Kleine Zeitung newspaper.
"Only from the sixth, seventh race will the drivers again be driving (as before)," he explained.
What he means is that the drivers are now operating very much under the control of the engineers, who are carefully monitoring fuel consumption levels and battery recharge rates.
"You can't overcharge them (the batteries), nor undercharge them," Lauda said. "Not too slowly, not too fast."
And he said a big job-list in the practice sessions is not car setup, but careful calculations to determine how Sunday's race can be run with just 100kg of fuel.
"Without engineers there is no driving at the moment," said Lauda.
And to avoid unnecessary trouble, Mercedes, which is expected to dominate this first "formula engine" race, discussed team orders beforehand.
Earlier reports suggested drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's charge for victory would be unfettered by team play.
But actually, "conversations" about team orders took place behind closed doors in Mercedes garage and the conclusion was that Rosberg and Hamilton most likely won't be taken by surprise during the race.
Wolff admitted: "We went through some scenarios and I think we're in a good place.
"We have explained to (Rosberg and Hamilton) how to respond in more than two dozen scenarios, for example if one of them is ahead but suddenly has a fuel problem. They have to be clear what to do."
The sport might now be called "formula engine", at least in the early phase of 2014, according to Mercedes' Niki Lauda.
The German marque has got a jump on its rival suppliers Ferrari and Renault after the revolutionary switch from normally-aspirated engines to the significantly energy recovery-boosted turbo V6s.
 |
| Mercedes is in good shape as the first race approaches (Photo: WRi2) |
The milder tones of the engines got the thumbs-down from the Melbourne punters on Friday, who pined for the old days of earplugs over these 'sewing machines on wheels'.
Mercedes' Toto Wolff is unapologetic.
"This is modern technology, this is where road cars are going," he said on Friday. "Downsizing is the motto and I think we just need to accept that the formula has changed."
It is not just the sport's noise that has changed. Lauda said that even though the drivers are still in the spotlight, F1 is effectively now 'formula engine'.
"For the first five races we're not going to see formula one, but a 'formula engine'," he told the Kleine Zeitung newspaper.
"Only from the sixth, seventh race will the drivers again be driving (as before)," he explained.
What he means is that the drivers are now operating very much under the control of the engineers, who are carefully monitoring fuel consumption levels and battery recharge rates.
"You can't overcharge them (the batteries), nor undercharge them," Lauda said. "Not too slowly, not too fast."
And he said a big job-list in the practice sessions is not car setup, but careful calculations to determine how Sunday's race can be run with just 100kg of fuel.
"Without engineers there is no driving at the moment," said Lauda.
And to avoid unnecessary trouble, Mercedes, which is expected to dominate this first "formula engine" race, discussed team orders beforehand.
 |
| Toto Wolff is planning ahead (Photo: WRi2) |
Earlier reports suggested drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's charge for victory would be unfettered by team play.
But actually, "conversations" about team orders took place behind closed doors in Mercedes garage and the conclusion was that Rosberg and Hamilton most likely won't be taken by surprise during the race.
Wolff admitted: "We went through some scenarios and I think we're in a good place.
"We have explained to (Rosberg and Hamilton) how to respond in more than two dozen scenarios, for example if one of them is ahead but suddenly has a fuel problem. They have to be clear what to do."