Qualifying 'grenade' motors...

Do you think these engines used in F1 qualifying for only for a maximum of four good lap attempts are really justifiable?
Isn't this a waste of resources that could be better directed?
Wouldn't it be better to build an engine that produces that power reliably and use it in the race?

Do you think it's ethical to use one engine design to achieve a good grid position and then, overnight, your car suddenly has a powerplant capable of running for a race distance, albeit with slightly reduced power?

As I've learnt myself in Clubman racing qualifying is all important. Its easier to race from the front few rows than it is from the middle.

In F1 where overtaking is nigh on impossible it is even more important.

So all in all not suprsing they have 'special' engines.

Basically F1 rules suck and the sport will pay for it.

IanC

They dont have speical engines,
they just overstress the normal engines, or use the next step engine b4 its put in the car for the race next time when the reliability.

they run the race engine at say 18000rpm
and qualify it at 21000rpm
more rpm more power.
heat isnt a problem then, or life, or fuel. or money!

I've always believed in "race wot u brung". I understand some of the reason for it but I don't agree with it.

Ian

When money is no object you will have this problem. Look at BMW in F1 in 1986. They raced their 1.5 turbo 4 @ 850-900bhp. Qualifying they had 1300-1400bhp for 4 laps with q tyres.

Hard to imagine racing with 450-550bhp less than the day before!!!!