Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone had in 2014 commented, “I was not horrified by the noise, I was horrified by the lack of it”. Now, a change in the exhaust regulations is set to make Bernie and a whole of others including fans happier.

Pat Symonds, chief technical officer, Williams

If Williams technical chief Pat Symonds is to be believed, Formula One cars are set to become louder this season due to certain changes in regulations made regarding the exhaust system. The regulations regarding the exhaust systems have been revamped this year, where a separate tailpipe for exhaust has been allowed. In the previous years the regulation by mandating the wastage on cars by forcing teams to feed all exhausts through one main exhaust.

Although the changes are really small and would not affect the performance of the engine too much, Symonds said, “Getting rid of that means it is going to be a bit louder, about one and a half decibels”. He also added that the human ears perceive things differently and hence although the cars would only be around 14-15 percent louder, it would seem like 20-25 percent louder, which is significant for the fans.

The sound in the Formula One car is actually the result of the cylinder pressure and the higher the cylinder pressure, the louder the engine. The way Formula One cars have evolved over the 2014 season is by increasing the cylinder pressures because that is the most effective way to only maximise powerful with reduced capacity. Symonds added, “The cars have got naturally louder and they will get louder this year as well in addition to the changes made in the exhaust”.

Tags: Bernie Ecclestone, Exhaust, Exhaust Rules, F1, Formula One, Williams