F1 to Switch to 1.5L Twin-Turbo Engines in 2013

It's not a secret to anyone that the 2013 Formula One championship will look totally different from the one that is currently unfolding before out eye, at least from a technological standpoint. The series will switch from the 2.4-litre V8s to smaller units, in order to cut fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Consequently, the championship will continue under engine freeze regulations until the end of 2012, after which a new powerplant will be introduced by all teams. If we are to trust the latest report from Spain's El Mundo Deportivo newspaper, it seems that F1 is preparing to welcome 1.5-litre engines, equipped with a twin-turbo and direct injection.

Discussions between the FIA officials and the F1 teams are still ongoing in regards to the new engine regulations, but apparently this is the best solution for all the parties involved. First of all, the units would be more accessible for the small teams (financially speaking), while also providing more fuel-efficiency in the series.

Acording to Ferrari's CEO Amedeo Felisa, who spoke to Autocar during the Beijing Motor Show last week, the Italian marque would favor the implementation of the gasoline direct injection technology in the 2013 units, as it would further help the teams cut CO2 emissions.

“If F1 has to develop something helpful for real (road) driving conditions, then the best solution is for an engine that is turbocharged and GDI (gasoline direct injection. That is what we would support,” said Felisa.

His comments came only a few days after Mercedes motorsport director Norbert Haug also supported publicly the rise of the technological developments in the series, despite the 2013 engine change.