The compromise worked out by the FIA and Formula 1 teams over future engines doesn't sit well with Ron Walker (LEFT), the colorful promoter of Melbourne's Australian Grand Prix. Telling the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper that the sound of the proposed turbo V6 engines "would be like a tin can rattling," Walker says he might replace F1 with IndyCars at the Albert Park street circuit if the proposed engine formula goes ahead as scheduled in 2014. Walker wants F1 to retain its current V8 formula.
"If the teams want to have a brawl over this, they are going to get the biggest brawl of their life," Walker told pitpass.com. "They won't be able to introduce the engine because we won't run the engine – we won't run the races.
"An IndyCar race costs about $3.5 million ($3.7m U.S.), compared to what we are paying (which he didn't specify, but is believed to be around $20m) and it is louder and noisy."
IndyCar relinquished its own Australian race at Surfers Paradise in 2008, and there is no indication the IZOD IndyCar Series is contemplating another race Down Under – although it would presumably be open to discussions if Walker is seriously considering such a switch. He insists that his stance against the new engines is genuine and backed by other F1 track promoters.
"We are not going to have our customer base destroyed," Walker said. "I told them that the circuits would not run it. The sound is part of the [F1] brand. It must be 18,000 revs and it must sound the same."
It is anticipated that the proposed 1.6-liter V6 turbo engines would max out at 12,000rpm.