Mercedes could have quit over engines

Mercedes says it could have quit Formula 1 if the sport did not switch to turbocharged hybrid power units.

For the 2014 season, Formula 1 has adopted 1.6-litre turbo V6 engines as part of a major technical regulation overhaul, replacing the former 2.4-litre V8 powerplants which had been in use from the 2006 campaign.

Professor Dr Thomas Weber, the Daimler board member who heads up research and development, says the previous units were not justifiable, and sees economy and efficiency as key elements for the future.

"We had at different times the challenge to discuss F1 with the supervisory board," Weber told BBC Sport.

"We had hard discussions. And it was always harder to explain why we were using naturally aspirated engines."

Weber added: "Now with these new regulations I can clearly convince the supervisory board that the [Formula 1 team] are doing exactly what we need – downsizing, direct injection, lightweight construction, fuel efficiency on the highest possible level, new technologies and combining a combustion engine with an e-motor hybrid."

via gp-update.net