Entirely new engine regulations will be a major component of Formula 1's 2013 rules overhaul. As plans come together, Dieter Rencken got some insight into F1's future from some top engine men

Although it has been well-known for three years now that Formula 1 would be moving to comparatively crude, small capacity (likely four cylinder) engines with sophisticated ancillaries to provide the element of hi-tech which sets the category apart from other formulae when the current regulations expire at end-2012, it is only recently that all the building blocks have gradually come together.

This column first outlined the basic concept of the engine a fortnight ago, and since then a further meeting of the FIA's Engine Working Group was held in Paris – another is scheduled for the end of this month – and subsequently it came to light that Ferrari had been pushing for an 1800cc V6 formula, with the units effectively being three quarters of the current 2400cc V8 engine architecture.

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