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Formula One speeds towards radical thousand-horsepower shakeup

The teams, the drivers, the fans, the circuits... few, if any, were satisfied with how Formula One has shaped up since the current regulations took hold last year. But that doesn't mean they aren't working on it. At a recent meeting of the F1 Strategy Group, the leading parties in the sport outlined a new framework that would radically shake up the cars themselves while keeping costs in check. And the biggest change could see the engines producing around 1,000 horsepower. Although a proposal put forth by Ferrari to ditch the current V6 hybrid engines in favor of new twin-turbocharged units was rejected by Honda and Mercedes, the members of the group approved in principal to increase the fuel flow in the existing engines to dramatically boost output. As it stands, the current 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 engines develop around 600 horsepower, with an additional 160 or so kicked in by the electric Energy Recovery System, for a combined output of about 760 hp. What's not clear at the moment is whether the increased fuel flow would necessitate either the return of mid-race refueling (currently banned) or the installation of larger fuel tanks. Red Bull and McLaren also submitted proposals to radically redesign the shape of the cars as well, however a more evolutionary approach was adopted instead. Though far from finalized, the new design would keep the same basic form of the current chassis, but with adjustments to make them more aesthetically pleasing while producing more downforce. Wider tires are also said to be part of the mix. With more power and more grip from the tires and aero, the resulting cars would most certainly end up going much faster than the current ones, which are already starting to nudge the lap records at some of the circuits, many of which were set during the V10 era. The F1 Strategy Group is made up of representatives of the FIA, Formula One Management and six leading teams. The next step will be for the teams' technical directors to iron out how to implement what their bosses have agreed to. If they settle the details fast enough, the revised regulations could be pushed through in time for next season. News Source: AutosportImage Credit: Mark Thompson/Getty Motorsports Ferrari Honda Infiniti McLaren Mercedes-Benz F1

2015 Mexican Grand Prix is a lot like old times

The last time Formula One visited Mexico, in 1992, 26 cars powered by eight engine manufacturers (counting Honda and Mugen-Honda separately) lined up on the grid; it would have been nine engine makers but the Brabham-Judd cars failed to qualify. In 1992 Lewis Hamilton was seven years old, Sebastian Vettel was five, Max Verstappen was still five years away from being born. Two of the current Sky Sports F1 commentary team, Martin Brundle and Johnny Herbert, were drivers. The starting three were Nigel Mansell on pole – 39 years old, this the year he'd win his only World Championship – and Riccardo Patrese both driving Williams-Renault cars, followed by Michael Schumacher in a Benetton-Ford. Only 13 of the 26 starters would finish. The circuit is has been reworked to today's safer standards, the track surface is brand new and slippery, but the atmosphere and packed grandstands haven't changed. Nico Rosberg was another point of consistency, scoring pole position for the fourth race in a row to beat his now-World-Champion teammate Hamilton by almost two-tenths of a second. The last time Rosberg turned pole position into a victory? The Spanish Grand Prix back in May. Vettel locked up third for Ferrari, followed by the Infiniti Red Bull Racing duo of Daniil Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo. Williams went two-up as well, Valtteri Bottas in sixth ahead of Felipe Massa in seventh. Max Verstappen turned in a great late lap to reserve eighth place, Sergio Perez did all he could in front of his home crowd to get ninth, teammate Nico Hulkenberg the caboose in the top ten. In that 1992 race the first three on the grid finished the race in the same order after Mansell dominated, and it was almost the same in 2015. If Rosberg had driven the whole season like he drove today the Driver's World Championship would still be up for grabs. He got a great start and held his line through the first corner, coming out ahead of Hamilton through the initial kinks, pulling away as soon as he got to the straight. Hamilton was never more than a few seconds behind, but every time the Brit inched closer the German found a few more tenths to keep his distance. The field got bunched up when the Safety Car came out on Lap 53 after Vettel spun and got stuck in the barriers, but Rosberg handled the restart perfectly. Both drivers made small mistakes in the last few laps while driving on the edge, but Rosberg earned a strong victory, crossing the line two seconds ahead of his teammate.

Eau Rouge Lite: Infiniti Q50 gets 400-hp, twin-turbo V6

The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge is still (probably) dead. But as consolation prizes go, a new 400-horsepower, twin-turbocharged V6 isn't bad. The 3.0-liter biturbo will be offered in two different states of tune. Enthusiasts will flock towards the aforementioned 400-hp model, but the first VR series engine will also be sold in a 300-hp version, as well. Regardless of output, both engines have a very broad torque curve, ranging from 1,600 to 5,200 rpm with either 350 or 295 pound-feet. A Mercedes-sourced, 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder will serve as the Q50's new base engine, matching the CLA250's 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powered Q50 soldiers on, as do a line of standard seven-speed automatic transmissions. The naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 appears to be gone. Another big enhancement for the updated Q50 is a revised version of the widely disliked Direct Adaptive Steer system. Infiniti says its engineers "optimized the control logic to improve feedback from the road" – a huge area of complaint with the current steer-by-wire system. The Q50's new engine lineup will be showrooms later this winter. Read on for the official press release from Infiniti, and stay tuned for more from the brand – including the new Q60 Coupe – at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. Related Video: Infiniti Announces New 3.0-liter V6 Twin-Turbo Engine – the Most Advanced V6 Ever Offered by Infiniti • New VR-series engine becomes the lightest, most powerful, cleanest and most fuel-efficient V6 engine that Infiniti has ever offered• Two power outputs available: 400 or 300 horsepower• Series of technical innovations enhance drivability and performance• Compact layout features new integrated exhaust manifold• The 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine family will first be available in the 2016 Infiniti Q50 sports sedan NASHVILLE (Dec. 15, 2015) – Infiniti's new compact, lightweight 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine is the most advanced V6 engine that the brand has ever offered, striking an ideal balance between drivability, efficiency, and performance. The 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo is an all-new engine from the new and exclusive VR- series powertrain family, born out of the brand's longstanding heritage of V6 powertrain production. The new engine has been engineered to empower the driver and offer increased power and torque and higher levels of efficiency than any comparable predecessors from the company.