Formula One: Formula One Seeking to Go Green

Max Mosley, the FIA president, has proposed a "green revolution" for 2011 which would transform formula one. Under proposals which were recently sent to all car manufacturers involved in the sport, the current 2.4-liter V8 engine regulations would be scrapped. The new rules would call for eco-friendly 2.2-liter turbocharged V6s running on biofuel and developing around 770 horsepower, around 100 horsepower less than present, according to reports in F1 Racing magazine .

Maximum revs would be restricted to 10,000rpm, down from 19,000rpm, which would make the new generation of cars much quieter than the current machines. Each engine would run five grands prix between routine changes, rather than two races under the current rules, and the cars would be fitted with traction control, four-wheel drive and have a power-boost facility that could be deployed by the driver to enhance overtaking opportunities.

"We are in active discussions with the major manufacturers to ensure that, in future, research and development relevant only to formula one will be discouraged, whereas that which has relevance to road-car development will be encouraged," said Mosley. "We understand that such an approach has broad support from the competing manufacturers and we will work closely with them to ensure that, in particular, the new environmentally relevant technologies that many of them are developing are made our priority."

He added: "Whilst aiming to achieve these goals we will ensure that the sporting spectacle of F1 remains the same or is even improved by the new developments."

The proposals were submitted to the car makers by Mosley and Burkhard Göschel, chairman of the formula one manufacturers' advisory commission. They were framed in a document produced by the FIA technical consultants Peter Wright and Tony Purnell, the former Jaguar team principal, in conjunction with the British engine technology specialists Ricardo who were recently appointed advisers to the sport's governing body.

The submission has yet to be considered in proper detail by the teams. "McLaren's view is not yet fully formed," said Martin Whitmarsh, their chief executive. "I think you would have to say that, on the face of it, these are very laudable propositions. However, I think we have been going through a period of much change in formula one, what with sealed engines in 2007, new electronic systems in 2008, energy recovery systems in 2009 and then more sweeping changes from 2011.

"Change is always very expensive in formula one. We understand that the sport must evolve, but we are concerned about cost."

Proposed changes

Replace current 2.4-litre V8s with 2.2-litre turbocharged V6s

Engines to be around 770 horsepower - about 100hp less than present

Engines to run five grands prix without changes

Four-wheel drive and traction-control systems

Power-boost facility to enhance overtaking

Cars to use ecologically sympathetic biofuels rather than fossil fuels