As confirmed by former BAR manager Craig Pollock in a recent interview with British magazine Autosport, his company, Propulsion Universelle et Recuperation d'Energie (PURE) has already started work on a brand new F1-orientated 1.6 litre 4 cylinder turbocharged unit, in compliance with the engine regulations imposed by the FIA for the 2013 campaign.
Pollock is yet to talk to the teams in the sport however, as he'll need at least a handful of customers before he'll kick off development of the new engine. According to reports, a first round of discussions could be held from as early as the Spanish Grand Prix, but Pollock doesn't seem too worried about it.
“I think that we will have customers before then (late this year),” he said. “I think at the moment the way everything is going inside the sport there will be customers, I'm sure of that. Which, I've got no idea. It would be pure speculation.”
According to Autosport, PURE has already contacted TEOS Powertrain Engineering, co-owned by Mecachrome and IFP Energies Nouvelles, in order to design and build an effective F1 powerplant. Also, it is reported that all the members of the staff that is supervising the project has worked in the past either in F1, or in Le Mans racing.
In addition, it seems that Pollock has already received “blessing” for his project from FIA president Jean Todt and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
“We welcome PURE to Formula 1. The rule changes for 2013 have been developed to provide lower cost, greener and more fuel efficient technologies for Formula 1. We wish PURE every success in developing power trains compliant with the new FIA regulations,” said Todt.
Google News