Are F1 cars just too big?

[marcush.]

A 4 cylinder inline engine would not be a lot shorter than a V8...so you fancy a V4?

How about a transversal four inline with the pistons running in the horizontal plane?

not horizontal ,as you need some space to route the exhaust or intakes ..but would this be shorter than a v4?...
I´d say the coolest option would be a v4 with offset
second row of cylinders so you could reduce cylinder spacing in longitudinal direction ....that would make for a very compact engine ..but a nightmare in terms of cylinderheads,camshafts as well...

[autogyro]

A three cylinder three stroke (enhanced two stroke) version of the ilmor three cylinder five stroke, with sleeve valves operated electromagneticaly and with supercharging to the induction ports. Turbo generator on the exhaust and my ESERU giving seven sequential gears and full Kers harvesting and application.
That would do it. The whole unit could probably be built no longer than just the length of a current v8 with no gearbox, clutch or the need to add any extra kers generator/motors,gears or shafting. It would take a foot out of the wheelbase for the same power output but for a fraction of the fuel use.

[lebesset]

how about a V6 of 1.8 litres , would allow a carry over of lots of bits from the V8
and with a reduction in the front wing would probably allow a maximum length of 5 metres ; still think 1.6 metres wide would be enough

reduce the minimum weight [ at the moment they are putting in ballast ] and the performance wouldn't be much difference to this years cars , reduction in fuel consumption , so smaller tank /fuel road