Esteban Ocon has issued a positive reaction to Formula 1‘s gradual move to a 60/40 split in its current power units, stating that his “ideal scenario” is to see the sport revert back to V8 engines.
F1’s new regulations cycle has been met with a flurry of negative opinions, with drivers such as Max Verstappen hinting that they would be willing to quit the sport should a resolution not be found.
The pressure became great enough for dialogue between the power unit manufacturers [PUMs], F1 and the FIA to determine some common ground and a way to placate all parties involved.
What came of it was a mooted agreement to switch from a near 50/50 split between ICE and electric power to 60/40 in the former’s favour.
On Wednesday, the agreement was finalised with the shift beginning gradually next year, with it being fully implemented in 2028.
The announcement was largely given approval by the drivers ahead of this weekend’s Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, and in an exclusive interview with Motorsport Week, Ocon was vocal in his agreement with the populous, but voiced his hope for more.
“It was necessary,” he said. “I think it’s good that Formula 1 and FIA have listened to the drivers to try and push towards more ICE power. I think that’s positive.
“Is it quite enough? Maybe not. We need more split towards the ICE, in my opinion, but that’s the best that we could do with the current situation.
“With how the engines are designed and built, you could not throw away all the development for the manufacturers, it would just be a waste.
“I think it has gone in the right direction, and it’s the best outcome out of the scenario.”
‘Petrolhead’ Esteban Ocon offers ‘ideal scenario’ for F1’s reunion with V8 engines
Having made his race debut in 2017, Ocon is slowing becoming one of the sport’s most experienced drivers, but has not raced in an era other than the V6 hybrid.
Other drivers in similar positions have been outspoken in their keenness to race with V8 power, similar to the pre-V6 era, for the first time, and when asked if he placed himself in the same boat, Ocon was very much in agreement with the proposed timeline for its return.
“I think my ideal scenario, as a petrolhead, is really to put a high-revving naturally aspirated engine like we had in the past [into the sport].
“We were doing a 3-litre V8. It was 2.4 back then, but something that sounds mega, that has soul, and couple it with the split that we had in the past with 150-odd horsepower out there with hybrid energy, that’s the best.
“Naturally aspirated and some hybrid – we’ve seen that it’s working super well in some road cars as well.
“I think that is definitely the future, and that’s where they are going to shift post this regulation. I could put my hand on the fire for that!”
More of our exclusive interview with Esteban Ocon will be coming soon to MotorsportWeek.com.
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