Craig Cod is Back!/PURE Engine

[F1000X]

But Mastercard Lola still achieved more than USF1 and Stefan GP ever did...

Oh my god; I had never made that connection. I hate Ken Anderson.

[mario]

Oi! PURE Corporation is still alive! Hell, they even moved in to Toyota Motorsport facility in Cologne.
http://www.purecorp.org
These guys don't mess around - just to manufacture engines they have rented an entire F1 team factory

Cologne seems to be a popular place to base an F1-related organization... First Stefan then this...

F1-related is the word here. As in "I want to be in F1. Can I be in F1, please?". They have chances to nail the Cosworth teams, but only when I see any confirmations, I will take PURE seriously.

Given that the commitment of Cosworth to the 2014 turbo engine regulations is questionable (it is perhaps somewhat revealing that their latest news stories they put out on F1 were before the Brazilian GP last year), that would suggest that there are going to be at least two teams requiring engines from PURE given the restrictions on how many engines the manufacturers are allowed to supply.

To be fair, though, Mercedes, Renault and Ferrari have all been pretty quiet on the subject of the 2014 engines, not least because there are still quite a few awkward questions that need to be answered - particularly the issue of how much an engine supply deal will cost. At the moment, engine supply deals are at a fixed price (€5 million a year), but with no defined limits on costs post 2014 the cost of an engine supply is likely to jump quite sharply (Benson, over at the BBC, has suggested that engine supply deals could be in the region of €20 million a year in the future).
If PURE can enter the sport with a more modestly priced, and reasonably competitive, engine, they might have a decent chance of establishing themselves, although at the same time the considerable capital expenditure that seems to be going into the new engines suggests that independent manufacturers are likely to be priced out of the market (it was certainly something that Cosworth complained about).

Anyway, on the topic of PURE's engine, scarbsf1 has been taking a look at the latest CAD images that PURE have been publishing and their current design - it's an interesting article even if, as he admits, PURE seems to be holding back some information at the moment. http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2012/06/0 ... f1-engine/

[mario]

Now things are getting interesting at PURE, but not in a good way - according to the latest reports in Autosport, one of Pollock's (unspecified) investors has failed to deliver the expected funding for development work, in part because of the changes that the FIA forced on PURE through pushing back introduction of the V6 turbo engines to 2014.
For the short term, therefore, development work on their engine has stopped for the moment whilst new negotiations over funding take place, whilst up until August 1st PURE can rely on a limited amount of short term funding from the EU (however, both that funding, and therefore all development work, ceases after that point). http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101562

[Faustus]

Now things are getting interesting at PURE, but not in a good way - according to the latest reports in Autosport, one of Pollock's (unspecified) investors has failed to deliver the expected funding for development work, in part because of the changes that the FIA forced on PURE through pushing back introduction of the V6 turbo engines to 2014.
For the short term, therefore, development work on their engine has stopped for the moment whilst new negotiations over funding take place, whilst up until August 1st PURE can rely on a limited amount of short term funding from the EU (however, both that funding, and therefore all development work, ceases after that point). http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101562

Hands up everyone who saw this one coming!

[mario]

Now things are getting interesting at PURE, but not in a good way - according to the latest reports in Autosport, one of Pollock's (unspecified) investors has failed to deliver the expected funding for development work, in part because of the changes that the FIA forced on PURE through pushing back introduction of the V6 turbo engines to 2014.
For the short term, therefore, development work on their engine has stopped for the moment whilst new negotiations over funding take place, whilst up until August 1st PURE can rely on a limited amount of short term funding from the EU (however, both that funding, and therefore all development work, ceases after that point). http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101562

Hands up everyone who saw this one coming!

I had been wondering where the funding for PURE's development program was coming from - I guess that it turns out that the funding wasn't there after all...

[eurobrun]

Now things are getting interesting at PURE, but not in a good way - according to the latest reports in Autosport, one of Pollock's (unspecified) investors has failed to deliver the expected funding for development work, in part because of the changes that the FIA forced on PURE through pushing back introduction of the V6 turbo engines to 2014.
For the short term, therefore, development work on their engine has stopped for the moment whilst new negotiations over funding take place, whilst up until August 1st PURE can rely on a limited amount of short term funding from the EU (however, both that funding, and therefore all development work, ceases after that point). http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101562

Hands up everyone who saw this one coming!

(puts his hand up)
(talks about himself in third person for no reason)

[DanielPT]

Can I start making fun of Pollock now?

(I also put my hands up! )

[Stramala]

Craig Pillock fails yet again! Maybe Jacques will buy PURE, rename the engines as JV001, and design a special valve system so the engine noise is him singing.

[mario]

Can I start making fun of Pollock now?

(I also put my hands up! )

I'm surprised that you've waited this long before making fun of him...

[Pointrox]

Just as I was ready to give Craig credit for PURE, he starts botching it up
Still waiting for the outcome of this, though.

[dr-baker]

Craig Pillock fails yet again! Maybe Jacques will buy PURE, rename the engines as JV001, and design a special valve system so the engine noise is him singing.

PURE? Valve systems? Singing? Engine which equals movement?

[DanielPT]

Can I start making fun of Pollock now?

(I also put my hands up! )

I'm surprised that you've waited this long before making fun of him...

I am bidding my time. Just waiting a few more hours to see if such "it will come from the EU" investor appear. If no positive news come out (and I do hope they come for the sake of the people who work at PURE and the future of reject engines in F1), I am forced to launch a pletora of jokes about Crap Bollock.

[Faustus]

Martin Whitmarsh expects 3 engine suppliers in 2012, which is of no surprise to any one:

http://www.f1zone.net/news/whitmarsh-ex ... um=twitter

Interesting comment about performance equalisation with the existing V8s.

[Faustus]

But Mastercard Lola still achieved more than USF1 and Stefan GP ever did...

Oh my god; I had never made that connection. I hate Ken Anderson.

You don't hate him anywhere near as much as the people who worked at USF1, I can guarantee you that. My friend was an aerodynamic modelmaker with USF1 and he says he wouldn't piss on Ken Anderson if he was on fire.

[sswishbone]

Tell you what, forget having the V8's equal to the V6's, equalise the field by letting the three back marker teams have full powered cosworth V8's, and everyone else the slightly less poweful but turbo charged V6's. That could make things very interesting at certain tracks where one engine type would have an advantage over the other, with the fans so enthralled at such a close season this year, make it be the huge baptism for that season too!

[mario]

Martin Whitmarsh expects 3 engine suppliers in 2012, which is of no surprise to any one:

http://www.f1zone.net/news/whitmarsh-ex ... um=twitter

Interesting comment about performance equalisation with the existing V8s.

That is likely to spark off a few political conflicts within the sport as the existing manufacturers fight for dominance - there are a few rumours that neither Ferrari nor Mercedes are that keen to see Renault continuing to expand its engine supplies, even if Whitmarsh is publicly talking up Renault's activities. Renault are already targeting some of the smaller teams as a potential replacement for Cosworth (HRT's name has been mentioned a few times in connection with Renault), whilst Sauber have been voicing a few concerns over the future V6 turbo engines and has indicated that, although Ferrari might be their preferred choice given their historical links, they would be prepared to sign up with a rival if they offered better terms:

"There is nothing in place, [but] it is a logical step for us to first go and talk to our current engine partner, because we do have a long history together," Kaltenborn explained. "But all is open because I don't think they themselves know about certain conditions. We have to wait."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101743

You can only assume that is a warning shot from Sauber that Ferrari better not pitch its engine supply deals at too high a price, since Renault would, no doubt, happily sign Sauber up. Signing up additional teams would start tipping the balance towards Renault on technical matters, no doubt - if they can tempt a few teams to their side (HRT and Marussia will be looking for new engine supplies if, as expected, Cosworth pull out, and are therefore realistic targets), that could start tipping votes at the TWG in their favour, something that does seem to be making Ferrari and Mercedes a little nervous. Added to that, Renault would have a major development advantage if it was getting data from many more teams than either Ferrari or Mercedes, not to mention the fiscal benefits accruing from spreading their development costs over a much wider customer base.

That final comment about performance balancing is also interesting, although it'd be a difficult balancing act for the FIA (it'd depend heavily on how much development was allowed for each engine). May we see a repeat of 2006 with Toro Rosso's rev capped V10 engines against the newer V8's?

[cbbcisace]

I don't expect Cosworth or PURE to be in the championship in 2014.

I would also be very supposed if HRT don't have a Renalt engine in their car sooner rather than later.

[eurobrun]

I would also be very supposed if HRT don't have a Renalt engine in their car sooner rather than later.

No, I doubt this will ever happen for some reason.

[mario]

I would also be very supposed if HRT don't have a Renalt engine in their car sooner rather than later.

No, I doubt this will ever happen for some reason.

Why not? If HRT still exist in 2014, and no new manufacturers or independent suppliers enter the sport in the meantime to replace Cosworth (who are currently expected to leave the sport next year), they will be left with no choice but to sign up with either Renault, Mercedes or Ferrari. Given that HRT have a supply deal with Williams, who are a Renault customer team, there would be a certain convenience in signing a engine supply deal with Renault as well - not to mention that Renault are aggressively targeting the new teams for engine deals and have already investigated the possibility of supplying HRT.

[cbbcisace]

HRT spoke to Renault last year about supplying engines for the F112 but they decided they didn't have enough time to do the necessary adjustments to the car.

HRT want Renault above any other Engine.

[Ataxia]

It's a bit stupid that the intention of bringing V6s into F1 was to increase support from manufacturers like VW/Audi or Honda.

Turns out it's decreased the number of manufacturers...this might end up like the Cossie DFV days.

[mario]

HRT spoke to Renault last year about supplying engines for the F112 but they decided they didn't have enough time to do the necessary adjustments to the car.

HRT want Renault above any other Engine.

I don't blame them - under the current "no refuelling" regulations, the slight edge in fuel efficiency the Renault engine is rumoured to have over the other engines would be beneficial.

It's a bit stupid that the intention of bringing V6s into F1 was to increase support from manufacturers like VW/Audi or Honda.

Turns out it's decreased the number of manufacturers...this might end up like the Cossie DFV days.

The original regulations were partially written by VW (they sent a representative to the initial meetings organised by the Technical Working Group, and Newey mentioned quite explicitly that VW were responsible for the inline four cylinder design that was originally adopted), although the current head of VW scuppered that as he is known to prefer competing in Endurance Racing. Whether anybody else might chance their arm is another matter, although the manufacturers haven't been rushing out in force to other series either just yet.

Mind you, sticking with the current engine format would probably do little to reverse the trend of a decline in manufacturer presence - Cosworth has been steadily pushed towards the exit anyway under the current regulations, let alone any new engine format. Caterham ditched Cosworth as quickly as they could, Williams likewise switched to Renault shortly afterwards and even HRT wants to ditch them a.s.a.p. - at this rate only Marussia will be left using the Cosworth engine, and even that is not assured (they were rumoured to be looking at a Mercedes engine supply deal at one point).

[pasta_maldonado]

The FIA should ask itslef what would make engine manufacturers interested and eagerto get involved. Then change the rules. If the teams don't like it, tell them to either agree or GTFO

[mario]

The FIA should ask itslef what would make engine manufacturers interested and eagerto get involved. Then change the rules. If the teams don't like it, tell them to either agree or GTFO

The catch is, that is essentially what the FIA did - they and the teams invited the manufacturer that was most interested, VW, to attend their talks and allowed them to shape the regulations towards their desires (the four cylinder, 12,000rpm proposal), only for VW to back out of the talks later on.
To be honest, the FIA has a tricky balancing act - the current engines are not especially attractive for new manufacturers, but they are considerably cheaper than the upcoming engines that are coming in, hence the recent sabre rattling by some of the teams over "equivalency formulas". Attracting new manufacturers would help the FIA push its message of sustainable motoring and technological advancement (whether that is actually the case is a separate matter), not to mention giving the manufacturers the increased role in the sport that they seek (i.e. having the engines be a defining difference between the cars, as under the current engine freeze rules there are only limited differences).
At the same time it risks driving out teams if the costs rise sharply and quickly: in the Le Mans series, some of the privateer teams are threatening to withdraw from the P1 class over the cost of the new engines, such that the ACO's attempt to increase manufacturer presence may actually have the reverse effect.

[razta]

Craig Pillock fails yet again! Maybe Jacques will buy PURE, rename the engines as JV001, and design a special valve system so the engine noise is him singing.