F1 Turbo 4: WTF?

F1 has decided that instead of big expensive V8's they are going to start using small, economical, fuel-efficient turbo charged 4 cylinder engines.

Which means yes, F1 is basically like your Aunt Mary. And it means no more of this:


It is, quite simply, an idiotic idea. F1 is F1 - not your sunday grocery getter. What makes sense for Aunt Mary does not make sense for the highest-powered all-you-can-handle racing league in the world. Granted, F1 cars have been on a decidedly downward trajectory since the v10s of the mid-90's, but this is not just a step down, it's more tripping and falling into a half-dug grave.

Really, what the hell are they thinking? I have a 4-cylinder turbo and it's great... if you want to balance fuel economy with fun-to-drive. F1 should not be giving a shit about fuel economy. It would be like running the Kentucky Derby on donkeys, because, well, they are just more economical.

Somehow... it's just not quite the same... 

So why is F1 doing it? I don't know. They are really in trouble in my opinion as a series. They have lost most of the big names - with the major exception of Ferrari. And now they want to be green. Fine, but why the hell change the cars? They barely use any fuel at all in the big picture, and there are thousands of other things which make far more sense. F1 has so much money they could just buy a wind-farm and call it a day, or set up a big solar plant in the middle east (which seems to be the rage these days). Changing the cars themselves is idiotic. It would be like downsizing the White House because the federal government wanted to reduce their carbon footprint. Stupid (though probably something Obama is already planning.)

Net result? F1 ain't what it used to be folks. Speaking of which, the Senna biography is now streaming on Netflix, and it is very good. Go watch that instead, and leave F1 to its shame.