09/02/2005
NEWS STORY
WilliamsF1 driver Mark Webber has admitted to being 'left cold' by the thought of Formula One adopting a 2.4 litre V8 format, in addition to being concerned at the new one-set-per-race tyre rule.
"F1 is the pinnacle," he told Australian magazine Auto Action. "It's cutting edge. It's something we've all grown up with, wanting to see the fastest drivers in the world. To detune a car to where a Formula Renault would blow it away, then we may as well pack up.
"I like the V10s," he continued, "I think they sound fantastic. The V12s even sounded better. A V8? Well, a bit disappointing, but that's the way it is. Everyone's got a V8. You can have one in your road car, it's not such a big deal."
He also admitted to being uneasy regarding the new rule whereby drivers now have to use the same set of tyres for qualifying and the race.
"One set of tyres for the race? It's ridiculous," he said. "God, it's an economy run. What is this? Some people will work better with it but if you're a real racer, that's not ideal."
Despite his reservations, the Australian racer is adamant that the FIA is right in trying to cut lap speeds, particularly at some of the older circuits.
"If there was no regulating going on at all in keeping the engineers in check, the speeds of the cars would be absolutely ridiculous," he said. "There are tracks that can't accommodate (F1) if development continues. Monza and Suzuka are on the edge in some places.
"It's a balancing act," he added. "You go to China and you can't hit anything. All the tracks that have been built in the last five years are fine."
Fine, maybe Mark, but oh so bland and boring.