F1 will still ’sound good’ in 2013 - White

Rob White has moved to allay fears about F1’s current engine roar becoming a GP3-style buzz when the regulations change dramatically in 2013.

Some purists laugh at the noise of the four-cylinder Renault engines mounted in the GP3 single seaters, but in 2013 formula one cars are set to be powered by turbo four-cylinder power plants in line with a ’greener’ image for the sport.

Bernie Ecclestone has already expressed his opposition to the new rules on the basis of the engine note, but Renault’s White insists the F1 cars of 2013 will still make noise.

"Motorcycle engines are also at 12,000rpm and sound good," F1 engine supplier Renault’s technical boss told Auto Motor und Sport.

He said there is no going back on the plans for the new engine rules anyway.

"We are already working on the (2013) engine," White revealed. "There will only be new manufacturers come into formula one with a new engine format," he insisted.

Renault may also be pleased to see the end of the current development ’freeze’ of the 2.4 litre V8 era, with customers Red Bull constantly complaining they are down on power.

"We do not have the most powerful engine," admitted White, "but there are other things with the engine that play a role in the laptime.

"For example, the driveability. We have worked hard to perfect the engine characteristics for the drivers," he added.