Louder or more efficient engines, F1 must choose - Abiteboul

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Renault's Cyril Abiteboul believes F1's quest for louder engines will be to the detriment of efficiency, which defeats the purpose of the V6 hybrid power unit.

As the sport continues to devise its future engine rules, louder sounding engines is among the requirements pursued by Formula 1 sporting manager Ross Brawn in F1's bid to cater to fans desires.

However, attempts to boost the sound of the current V6 Hybrid power unit would impact its efficiency insists Abiteboul, which in turn would call into question the entire philosophy surrounding hybrid technology and its road car relevancy.

"Fundamentally, it must be accepted that we won't do it," the Renault Sport F1 boss told Montreal radio broadcaster FM1033.

"Sound is energy. If we want powerful engines with low fuel consumption, we must be able to use all the available energy.

"If we start converting that energy into sound, then we won't achieve a good result in terms of energy efficiency. This are two contradictory objectives."

Abiteboul still determined to have three-engine rule scrapped

While fans consider louder, piercing sounding engines as part of F1's thrill and excitement, Abiteboul believes it is but a nostalgic whim linked to a bygone era.

"It's a generation problem. Soon, there will be several generations which will have not heard a V10 or V8 engine, for whom a silent engine will be the norm," expalins the Frenchman.

"They'll be used to other sorts of sounds: squeaking tyres, mechanical traction, a car's aerodynamics... The problem is that we are in the midst of a generational and technological gap, and it's all a bit complicated to take in."

In short, Abiteboul believes there's too much noise surrounding the issue of sound in F1.

"It's a question of time," he says. "Perhaps Formula 1 moved a bit too fast, so in a sense it's ahead of its time today, and we must accept it."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.