“That was like a couple of years ago”– Lewis Hamilton laughs on Esteban Ocon’s earliest memory in Formula 1 and reminds the recency.
Lewis Hamilton and Esteban Ocon are a generation apart drivers in Formula 1, while Hamilton has experienced around one and a half-decade in F1, Ocon has only spent a fraction of a time in it.
Ocon and Hamilton were asked what were their earliest memory, and Ocon’s answer has shown the age gulf between the two. The Frenchman said: “I remember it was a V8 car back in those days…”
In response, Hamilton said: “Those days? That was like a couple of years ago!” The V8 engines were the previous era of F1 engines before the turbo-hybrid era of V6 engines came into the picture.
There have often been intense comparisons between V8 and V6 engines, with the romantics reminiscing the past when V8 engines used to roll out cars with humongous noise.
Mercedes dominated this new era
Mercedes gained an edge over the rest of the grid when V6 engines were implemented from the 2014 season, and managed to win all the championships from then onwards until now.
These engine regulations are intended to remain till 2025, and the new regulations will ensure that the development cost is much lesser. It is currently planned that the 1.6-litre V6 engine configuration will remain, but that might not be the case due to the newly established goals for the new engine.
The goals include making a new engine with sustainable fuel and more environmental sustainability while ensuring more power, fewer costs and attractiveness to new engine manufacturers. Upgrades will be reduced by regulation and limits on extra components will decrease.
