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Turbo-charged: the challenge of F1's new rules

With the switch to smaller turbo engines getting ever closer in Formula 1, Dieter Rencken speaks to Renault's Rob White on the challenges thrown up by the new units

In a little over 18 months Formula 1 enters a brave green world, one with eco-formance at the heart of its 1600cc V6 power units. Not only will units be turbo-supercharged, but spent exhaust gasses will simultaneously drive generators whose output may be fed directly into the power loop, providing a double whammy - even before stored energy from onboard Energy Recovery Systems (note Kinetic has been dropped) is released.

Although the outline format was mooted back in 2009, four cylinders gave way to six in June last year, after teams all but rebelled against the FIA's original proposal. Thus the current engine suppliers - plus, of course, newcomer PURE - have spent the last 10 months actively developing concept (mainly single-cylinder) engines.

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