Karun Chandhok wants the FIA to move away from hybrid-powered Formula 1 cars and pursue an alternative route for more sustainability in the sport.
Traditionally, F1 cars were powered fully by V8 or V10 engines which ran on fuel. But, in 2014, new engine rules came into force which meant constructors had to come up with a new hybrid system, using a V6 engine which also features kinetic and heat energy recovery systems.
Mercedes adapted best to the change and embarked upon a period of dominance by winning eight constructors' titles in a row – a run ended only last year by Red Bull. In 2022, the type of fuel used changed from E5 to E10, which contains more ethanol and reduces CO2 emissions.
Another significant change is planned for 2026 when new power unit rules come into force. Teams are already well under way constructing their engines for those new regulations, which require them to run on fully sustainable fuels and benefit from more electrical power.
Chandhok is on board with the push for more sustainability in the sport, but thinks there is a better way to go. On social media, he responded to a video of Ayrton Senna on a qualifying lap at Silverstone in 1991 with his idea for how to go about it in a different way.
"This kills the theory that 'older shaky onboard cameras make the cars look faster'," he said of the footage. "Regulation weight for these cars was 505kg without driver so probably 575 versus 798kg now. Modern cars are much bigger in size. Smaller, more agile cars just look faster."
Elaborating, he suggested that a way to reduce the size and weight of the cars – F1 machines have never been bigger or heavier than the current models – would be to re-think the pursuit of hybrid technology.
The Sky Sports pundit added: "As I’ve said on several occasions – I think it's time for F1 to ditch the hybrids with the heavy batteries. Light cars with V10s screaming on sustainable fuels would be brilliant.
"Le Mans is pushing hybrids, FE is doing Electric, F1 can lead development in sustainable fuels." But he went on to acknowledge: "Sadly, the manufacturers will never let it happen!"
