Formula 1 must carefully consider a number of aspects before it settles on a definite 2021 engine formula, consulting various expert groups to ensure it gets things such as the noise right, according to Mercedes engine boss Andy Cowell.
The sport is looking to replace the current hybrid V6 turbo power unit, that has been in existence since 2014, with a cheaper option.
Meetings have been taking place with key stakeholders including the FIA, Liberty Media, all four current engine suppliers as well as new potential suppliers such as Audi, Porsche, Aston Martin and Cosworth.
With just over three years until it is set to replace the current engine, manufacturers are keen to confirm the new specification as research and design will need to begin within the next year.
Cowell says that decision can't be rushed and expert groups must be consulted to avoid running into the same problems as the current specification, such as its lack of noise and its high cost, as well as ensuring it is road related.
"Everybody's expressed their opinion on what 2021 should bring," said Cowell. "We need to make sure that the technology that's introduced in Formula 1 in 2021 is ahead of the road car world in 2021 and perhaps mimicking what will be in the showrooms in 2026.
"But there's a whole load of other topics that need to be discussed and the conclusion of the second meeting is that we need to do some more work [on these].
"We need to break out into expert groups and that's not necessarily us, that's people from outside of F1 that understand about engine noise and how that brings pleasure to people that are hearing it, the musicality of it.
"Then [there are] more scientific studies that we will be involved in, like removing the MGU-H – [do] we have single turbo or twin turbos?"
Cowell says work on getting those experts together has already begun and is hopeful that a decision on what will power F1 after 2020 will be made before the end of the season.
"The FIA is going to chair several meetings, several working groups that conclude over the summer on that particular subject matter and then in September, bring that back together and try and condense that into one overall package.
"As ever, there will be compromise but I think if we come up with the best package for Formula 1, for the manufacturers, for the fans, for the drivers, for the chassis teams etc then it will be a good step."
