Williams and Mercedes defend new V6s

The broadcast of the first free practices of the 2014 season of F1 allowed us to get a clear idea of ​​the spectacle offered by the new engines. Criticism against the 6l turbo/hybrid V1.6 was rekindled after this first run in Melbourne, pointing out the cruel lack of sound compared to the old, much more garish V8. From now on, certain characteristic noises such as the screeching of tires when braking hard are much more audible while the high revs of the engine block seem like a distant memory.

The team principals present at the press conference gave their impressions at the end of this first day of free practice at the Australian Grand Prix. “I like the sound of the new engines, but most of all I love F1 and watching cars go around a circuit,” Claire replied. Williams, the Team Principal of the eponymous team. “I think the public will quickly adapt to the new sound of F1 engines. We have had many changes in recent decades in motorsport and we very quickly forget the sound of a previous engine. I think the spectators just want to see a good race on Sunday and I think we can avoid these problems... or these arguments as long as we put on a good show. »

Toto wolff, the team representative Mercedes, supported the words of Claire Williams. “If you like the sound of engines, let’s go back to V10 or V12 and not do a hybrid. This is modern technology, this is where passenger cars are heading. Downsizing is the current trend and I believe we just have to accept that F1 has changed. These single-seaters will be faster than the previous ones within a few races. We'll get used to the new sound and I promise we won't be different next year. »

On the other hand, Stefano Domenicali was less talkative. “Claire and Toto summed it up very well.”, simply replied the Team Principal of the Team Ferrari.