Organisers of the Australian GP think the quieter noise produced by the new V6 engines could be in breach of their F1 contract and have complained to Bernie Ecclestone. Sunday's race marked the start of a new era for grand prix racing with the high-pitched scream of the 2.4 litre V8 engines used between 2006 and 2013 replaced by a deeper growl of 1.6 turbocharged V6 units. Crowd noise and tyre squeal was noticeably more audible than in previous seasons. However, amid criticism from fans about F1's new quieter soundtrack, Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott has said that the lack of noise had taken away from the spectacle at Albert Park and that AGPC Chairman Ron Walker had already expressed his concerns to F1 supremo Ecclestone. "One aspect of it was just a little bit duller than it's ever been before and that's part of the mix and the chemistry that they're going to have to get right," Westacott told Australian radio station Fairfax Radio . Listen to the new engine around a lap of Albert Park with Jenson Button "Ron spoke to (Ecclestone) after the race and said the fans don't like it in the venue. "We pay for a product, we've got contracts in place, we are looking at those very, very seriously because we reckon there has probably been some breaches." Writing in his online column, Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle said the engines noise grew on him over the weekend, but feels they need to be made louder. "I had waited to hear a full complement of cars before making a judgement on the sound of the new motors and initially I was disappointed. Walking around the track standing alongside the barriers in the second session I was a little more heartened as it became clear that ear plugs were not really needed, the track PA system could be heard for the first time ever, and other sounds such as mechanical noise and tyre torture could be heard," the Sky Sports F1 analyst wrote. "Each day I grew to like the throaty sound just a little bit more especially when behind a car accelerating at full throttle. But there simply isn't enough volume and some of the intense drama has been lost. "I can't imagine anything can be done in the short term, but hopefully for next season they can specify a megaphone exhaust and even twin pipes although I suspect that would cost tens of millions for the three manufacturers to redesign and re-map their motors." The subject of engine noise was raised in Friday's Team Principals' Press Conference with the bosses defending the new sound of F1 and Claire Williams insisting that "people pretty quickly get used to what Formula 1 engines sound like. We've had so many changes over so many decades of motor racing and you very quickly forget what a previous engine sounds like".
Doesn't surprise me they are complaining. They are meddling intensely with F1 and if they don't get it right they are going to look bloody stupid and the sport a mockery - its already looking a bit daft with the double points and the blatant attempt to stop one team from dominating and to make the sport more interesting. This is a V12 and how it they sound - and its not even close to full wack - imagine this times however many cars! I hope you have speakers! Its gets progressively louder as the vid goes on: [video=youtube;nTeZRlpVweo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTeZRlpVweo[/video]
I went to Silverstone a couple of times when I was about 13-14 and the sound was awesome. The only thing I found more astonishing was the braking distances!
What Claire Williams says is sort of true, F1 past is quickly forgotten, like the look of the new cars for example, all the emphasis shifted this season from the platypus steps to the dildo noses. No one even mentions last season's chassis anymore. The new cars sound awful it's true, when you think of F1 you think of the high pitched scream and a deafening noise. This season's cars don't provide that. I was watching highlights of practice and thinking the cars were oddly quiet and hoping the sound was just bad because it was practice but I got up to watch the race on Sunday morning and you just can't hear them, the commentators are much more audible and contribute to the lack of noise from the cars too. I know people who went to the race and at every race they have a live commentator, normally this is just a token thing and mostly inaudible but now it's clear as day, people were saying they didn't even need ear plugs. In a group close together the new cars sound ok, but only ok, mostly like sports cars. F1 is supposed to be the pinnacle of engineering and the sound goes along with that so ok doesn't really cut it. I've been to loads of F1 races, I'd go again for sure, but part of the allure of the sport is that arse clenching, stomach churning, ear destroying noise, the noise of super advanced fuels mixed with jism. And also laughing at those who haven't been before clutching their ears because they don't have ear defenders. It's a shame because this season should be pretty open and exciting.
I listened to both. Because I've been watching Arrow on the PC, I had my earphones plugged in which has tremendous bass and stereo sound, so much so its like watching (well, listening to) a film in the cinema. I kept them in to listen to those two videos
Nice!! Havent been to Silverstone. This video is pure V12 awesome! [video=youtube;psp31ZAprUg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psp31ZAprUg[/video]
Nice name change Pass Am I right in thinking health and safety is part of the reason for the downgrades?
Only went to the Friday practice sessions as its much cheaper than qualifying or race day. I used to go to race meetings all the time with the old man, mostly bikes though. He used to do grass track racing when I was really young but stopped because my brother (who is four years older than me) was getting to the age (about 14) where he wanted a go (they ran under-age races). My dad is a retired mechanic too and we know a former sidecar British Champion (Dave Smith, good luck finding that name ), my dad was his mechanic. I did a lap around Brands Hatch as his passenger when I was twelve (obviously a reduced pace but still bloody fast as I knew the actions). I guess you could say I have a bit of a racing background
Cheers G man. Chassis changes, lower noses/front ends and narrower packages are safety based, low noses they hope will prevent shunting cars riding up over the back of the car in front and flipping over etc, engine changes are due to shift to hybrid energy systems so the sport is seen to be environmentally aware, i.e. KERS becomes just ERS, that's why Renault powered cars are currently so ****, they haven't got their heads around it, Mercedes were ahead of the game because they've basically been planning for this since they (re) entered the game several years ago.
That is awesome! I didn't really go to see much racing with my dad because of the price (he has previously said), but he has been to Monaco and used to go with my older half brother (40 odd years old) and used to kick about with people in GP2 and I remember a coffee table he made out of a GP2 tire laid on its side with a bit of timber over the top! We went to festival of speed a couple of times and the revival race meetings, and I've seen WRC in Wales once and also been to a couple of touring car races which is much, much better racing and overall value. A friend of my dad makes trailers and the one Steve Rider talks (used to talk?) on whilst on ITV we delivered at the race day and towed it away after - but most importantly got back stage passes to ITV's trucks and you could see the guys doing the live editing and replays which was interesting. Need to see actual racing F1 live as opposed to live exhibitions and telly though, but would not pay for this lot at the prices banded about.
My dad was very much into racing but liked bikes more than the cars. He was distraught when his hero Joey Dunlop passed away a few years ago, especially with it being a accident on such a poor course. He used to ride bikes too until he had a "biggy" and scared himself, he's not had one since although he is getting on a bit now (59 last month). The guy that won the British Championship makes the chassis now but not seen him for a few years. I miss doing that, used to tour all over the place in a big motor home (like a large bus that had the sidecar in the back). Being allowe din the pits and seeing all the bikes etc up close was pretty cool. I ruined his british champion trophy presentation too, he reminds me every time I see him Only rallies I've seen are local ones, both on the road and through the woods. Got to say that rallies are scary to watch as when they crash they tend to go into the crowds!
Used to love Touring Cars because minor contact was allowed but even they've had to fall into line with H&S. Racing isn't racing when there is a distinct lack over overtaking. Bikes are about the only true racing left in motor sport.
They have said that the lack of engine noise has allowed you to hear other noises going on in the cars and it does make it easier to hear the drivers talking to their teams as well.. I guess it depend what you want though. When they changed the last engines people complained but then got used to it, think it'll be the same here.
