Vettel Hits at KERS, Turbo Engines in F1

Sebastian Vettel joined the group of critics who would like to see 4-cylinder turbocharged engines and the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) outside Formula 1 in the future. According to the reigning world champion, the best thing the FIA could do in the next few years would be to switch to even more powerful units, most preferred V12s.

“I would put a V12 engine in the car – (I'm) against all the four-cylinder advocacy,” said the 23-year old German driver in a recent interview with Formula 1's official website.

“I would take KERS off the car and put a V12 in. That would be 'greener' than what we have now!” he continued, echoing the comments of his most reliable supporter Bernie Ecclestone, who recently engaged in a media war against FIA president Jean Todt on this particular topic.

Ecclestone's main problem with the engine that will be introduced in F1 in 2013 is that it will cause the sport to lose its sound. Needless to say, the 1.6-litre 4-cylinder units will not produce the same roaring sound of the current V8s, and that's one of the main elements in the DNA of Formula 1.

Vettel also addressed those fears, saying that Formula 1 is about brutal machines, incredible engineering and powerful engines rather than green racing.

“I definitely would go for a lot of power, a nice sound – some brutal machinery so that you have to rise above yourself every time you jump back into the car,” he added.