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Mercedes excited by 2014 engines

ESPN Staff
January 11, 2013 « Perez sure McLaren can move ahead of Red Bull | Di Resta surprised his team-mate hasn't been confirmed »
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Mercedes-Benz says the 2014 engine regulations are "about putting the motor back into motor sport".

The current 2.4-litre V8 engines will be replaced by 1.6-litre V6 turbo power units, with the term also encompassing the KERS, new ERS (Energy Recovery System), battery and electronics. Mercedes is attempting to make a unit that delivers 750bhp - the same as the current engines - but uses a maximum of 100kg of fuel compared to the current level of 150kg.

With the engines only revving to 15,000rpm rather than the current 18,000rpm, Bernie Ecclestone has been the most vocal opponent of the new units, labelling the sound as "terrible". However, Mercedes-Benz High Performance Powertrains managing director Andy Cowell insists they will be "loud, but sweeter sounding".

Cowell also told Sporting Life that he expected the units to reach the stage of being able to deliver the same performance in terms of lap time as this year.

"We will be about there in terms of lap time compared to 2013," he said. "It's a stretchy target, it's very ambitious, but then this is Formula One. It's a competition where the most ingenious engineer will win out, and it will also become a thinking driver's championship to get the most from the car and the available energy."

However, Cowell also allayed fears that races could see drivers more focused on conserving fuel than racing, adding that the additional torque out of corners would make the car harder to control.

"I don't think we will go down that route. If you make inefficient engines, then yes, that will be the case. If you make efficient engines, then no. Overall, it's about putting the motor back into motor sport."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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