Mercedes- Benz believes the new V6 power unit will put “motor back in motorsport” with the shift from the current V8 to a 1.6-litre V6 turbo for the 2014 Formula One season.  The new environment-friendly 1.6-litre V6 turbo engines will replace the current 2.4-litre V8 units for the 2014 campaign in line with the FIA’s bid to make the sport greener. 

The new engines will produce the same 760PS that the current V8 produces but a large percentage of it will be produced by the heat and energy recovery systems (ERS). The ERS can produce twice the amount of power and five times more energy than the current KERS (Kinetic Energy Reduction Systems) in a Formula One car. The new V6 will have 15 per cent fewer moving parts than the V8, which will make it last for 4000km compared to the 2000km lifeline of the current engine. 

The sound of the new V6 engine has been debated over in the Formula One fraternity and even commented on by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, raising doubts if it would enamour fans or evoke as thrilling an engine note as the current V8. Ecclestone said, “I listened to the noise of the engines in (Ferrari's headquarters at) Maranello the other day, the new engine and the old engine, and even (Ferrari chairman) Luca di Montezemolo said it sounded terrible and didn't like it.”

However, Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines Managing Director Andy Cowell dismissed such doubts, saying, “It's a little bit lower in terms of decibels because of the turbocharger, but it's a sweet sound. It put a big smile on my face. I think the sound is going to be pleasant. The volume is a little bit lower but I don't think there are going to be any problems with the direction we're going.” 

There have been slight changes to the rules for the 2013 Formula One season but rule changes will massively impact the sport and the championship in 2014.  Williams Technical Director Mike Coughlan said, “It’s a huge change. There are very few teams who will be able to do a fully focused run on the 2013 championship and the year after.”

Red Bull Racing Technical Director Adrian Newey said, “In 2014, you will have the variation in engine performance. That means the engine power unit itself, which is not only the internal combustion engine but also the various recovery systems bolted to it.”  On its effect on the championship and performance, Newey said, “It is possible that one manufacturer will do significantly better than the others, at which point you might end up with that manufacturer's cars at the front of the grid. You could end up with an engine manufacturers' championship.”