F1 still 'miles' from loud enough engines

Mar.23 (GMM) F1 is still "miles away" from sounding like the pinnacle of motor sport.

That is the claim of two insiders, notwithstanding efforts over the winter to turn up the meagre volume of the controversial 'power unit' era.

Following criticisms in 2014 and 2015, changes to the technical regulations for 2016 mandated extra exhaust pipes for the 'wastegate'.

Some estimated the volume increase at up to 25 per cent, but world champion Lewis Hamilton does not agree.

"Can you hear the difference?" he is quoted by the Mirror after the season opener in Australia. "You've got to have a very good ear to hear to the changes.

"There's zero difference. I don't think it sounds good at all," the Mercedes driver added.

Dr Helmut Marko, an outspoken critic of the power unit Zeitgest, agrees.

"You would have to show a lot of good will in order to identify a change," the Red Bull official told Kleine Zeitung newspaper.

"We are miles away from what should constitute the sound of formula one. It's not screaming, it's not brutal enough.

"The Honda engine sounds good," Marko added, "but perhaps only because it is not running like the others."