F1: Vettel No Fan Of KERS Or 4-cylinder F1 Cars

Sebastian Vettel has revealed he is no fan of KERS nor of F1's planned switch to a four-cylinder engine format in 2013.

Asked by the sport's official website which current regulations he would like to change, the reigning world champion answered: "I would put a V12 engine in the car -- (I'm) against all the four-cylinder advocacy."

F1 Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone, who is openly pushing against FIA president Jean Todt at present, is a keen supporter of 23-year-old Vettel.

At F1.com, the German continued: "I would take KERS off the car and put a V12 in.  That would be 'greener' than what we have now!"

Ecclestone has said he is worried about the sound of the small turbo engines in 2013, but other observers say his stance is the opening salvo in a power struggle with Todt and the FIA.

Vettel said: "I definitely would go for a lot of power, a nice sound -- some brutal machinery so that you have to rise above yourself every time you jump back into the car."

(GMM)

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.

Renault's White insists the F1 cars of 2013 will make a 'good'  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." 

(GMM)

Moveable Wings F1's 'Most Stupid Idea': Lauda

The new moveable rear system is the "most stupid idea" F1 chiefs have ever implemented.

That is the typically blunt view of triple world champion Niki Lauda, after the officially-titled DRS (drag reduction system) made its debut last weekend in Australia.

"Overtaking is something that should be decided by the drivers, not by the FIA flashing green lights in the cockpit telling them to fold their wings up or down," the great Austrian told Sport1.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, the system was a relative failure in Melbourne, given that more passing moves occurred without the help of DRS.

Asked if he thinks the system will ultimately be tweaked or scrapped, the 62-year-old answered: "That I don't know.

"I would have never introduced it.  It's definitely the most stupid idea ever conceived," added Lauda.

(GMM)

Bahrain Reshuffle Could Push Season Into December

The 2011 season could end with a back-to-back double header in the Arabian peninsula, according to the latest reports.

Though turmoil in Bahrain is ongoing, and the FIA's May deadline for a race rescheduling has entered its final month, the reports say moves are afoot to reshuffle the end of the calendar.

Italiaracing said the most likely scenario now for a rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix would also involve rescheduling November's nearby Abu Dhabi race.

The report said the Yas Marina event could be pushed back to December, with Brazil's currently season-ending date brought forward to close the gap.

The final two calendar stops could then be Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, separated on the map by mere hundreds of kilometres, run back-to-back.

"We'll have a look and see what we can do, how we can swap things round a bit," Bernie Ecclestone said last month.  "Maybe we can change with Brazil or something like that."

In February, Abu Dhabi motor federation president Mohammed ben Sulayem said Yas Marina was open to helping Bahrain find a rescheduled date in 2011.

"Finding time in the calendar is feasible," he said.

"Originally, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain agreed to have a big separation on the calendar to make the most of the exposure that a grand prix brings.  However, this is an emergency and in an emergency we need to work together," he added.

Italiaracing, however, said the teams might be reluctant to see the schedule extended into December.

(GMM)