BMW expects V8 rethink

"My impression is that some other manufacturers are rethinking their position already since we know that there will be a 600bhp or 600bhp plus Formula 2, " he said. The V8s, he added, would produce around 700bhp, not a sufficient differential he thinks.

Theissen himself would prefer longer-life versions of the current V10 engines and, at Nurburgring, explained the reasons behind the uncertainty.

"There are several reasons to vote for the V10 and the most important is that the V8 came about three years ago when the technical directors were requested to come up with a 700 horsepower engine," he said. "At that time there was a discussion about safety and nothing else. Nothing about cost. Some technical and engine people still feel bound by this request. In reality, however, the team principals and Bernie and Max have changed their objectives.

"The focus is on cost-cutting now, which is quite different. If you need to do a 700 horsepower engine without any cost-cutting measures it would make sense to go to a 2.4-litre V8, but in this case you would have an engine which is maybe 5% less expensive than a V10 and carries the same technology. If at the same time you tried to cut costs by restricting design or materials or extending engine life, you wouldn't have 700bhp anymore but 650bhp or less. If Formula 2 is introduced with 4.0-litre engines and 600bhp plus, I don't see the difference and don't think it would make sense to have a 700bhp F1 engine.

"I think the target has to be readjusted. Today it really is about cost-cutting and that's why I not only vote for a V10 but also for extending engine life. Cost-cutting can best be achieved by extending engine life because it means you build less engines per year and parts cost are the biggest proportion of the engine budget."