BMW confident with new V8
BMW is confident in its new V8 engine as F1 switches from 3-litre V10s to 2.4-litre V8s. When BMW joined F1 with Williams it did for a while boast the most powerful engine on the grid and that is something it is hoping to recapture in its first season as a works BMW team.
"Lap times will go up by around two to three seconds, though spectators will hardly be aware of it," BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen said at the launch BMW's first F1 car. "The drivers, on the other hand, need to adapt their driving style. To put it simply, they will have to attack corners less sharply to get the most out of the power available."
The different firing sequences and intervals compared to the V10 have led to a completely new situation in terms of vibrations. With a speed range that exceeded 19,000 rpm, the V10 hit a critical zone between 12,000 and 14,000 rpm. However, the engine spent very little time in this problematic band and smoothed itself out again as the revs were stepped up. But it is precisely here that the V8 encounters problems. Its vibration curve enters challenging territory later than the V10, starting at around 16,000 rpm and becoming more critical from there, which can impact on the stability of vehicle components. And, like its predecessor with two extra cylinders, the BMW P86 V8 engine also has to last for two grand prix weekends.
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