NewsOnF1 - Should engine capacity be reduced to 2.5 litres ?

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At almost every race so far this season, the pole position lap time was around 2 seconds quicker than last year. We even saw lap times that were faster than the '97 lap times when the F1 cars were running slick tyres.
With Michelin competing with Bridgestone, the tyre manufacturers have raised their game and are supplying tyres that despite of the grooves are providing 'slick-like' grip and performance.

The FIA are looking at this issue and are concerned with the dramatic fall in lap times and the effects it could have on the safety of the drivers and spectators in the case of a high speed accident.
One of the areas that would limit the speeds of the cars is reducing the engine capacity, something which the FIA last did after the 1994 season when engine capacities were dropped from 3.5 to 3.0 litres.

At the European Grand Prix, 3 engine manufacturers were asked whether they would be in favour of reducing engine capacity to compensate for the dramatic increase in the speed. BMW and Mercedes were against the idea and Dr. Mario Theissen described it as the most expensive way of trying to reduce the speed of the cars. He also added that Formula 1 should always have the strongest engines and said "I have to say that Formula One is the top motor sport category. It should have not just the quickest cars, but also the strongest engines. It's called Formula One, not Formula Sorry."

On the other hand, Honda agreed with the idea of dropping engine capacity as a safety measure.

Are you in favour of reducing the engine capacity in an attempt to will help increase lap times and reduce the speed of the Formula cars ? - Have Your Say (What others are saying)

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What others are saying:

I actually wonder if it is increased maximum speed or the fact that cornering speed, hence the greatly reduced lap times, that FIA is concerned with. To me it is the cornering speeds which have increased over the years due to many factors, most notably the tyre war. Other factors such as better driveability of the engine through mapping and traction control, automatic gear changes have also decreased the acceleration time from the corners, these have helped, of course along with more powerful engines, to see the continued reduction in lap times. Reducing engine capacity should reduce top speed for a while however the effect that it will have on Formula 1 will likely be negative and will not address the other concerns that the spectator has, primarily the lack of overtaking - Steve P - Australia

Engines should be the strongest and most powerful, otherwise why have the name Formula One - Liam D - Australia

I will not agree in reducing the capacity of the engine as we are in formula one
not two or three. We audience are also expecting faster car if not why is racing
introduce at the first place. So I think it is ok to stay at what it is - Shawn C - Singapore

I do not think there should only be looked at engines. I think that cars have become to advanced, should we not rather go back to the basics of having cars that need to be driven without traction control, semi automatic gearboxes, launch control etc. I think if the sport returns to driver skill without all kinds of aids the speeds will come down - Peter - South Africa

I think it is far better to reduce speeds by altering the cars spec rather than the engines.
Engines involve huge costs for design, casting, and manufacturing whereas new cars are designed new every season so costs of changing specs can be easily absorbed into the new car.
Reduce speeds by reducing wing sizes considerably and we will have slower cornering speeds therefore more braking, more chances for overtaking under braking etc. You can reduce engine power by restrictor in the intake rather than cubic capacity. A race spec 2.5 is going to be as quick as the old 3.0 after only a couple of seasons. Reduce downforce and it could be years before it is overcome, if ever - Kelvin P - Canada.