By Huw Alban
December 30 2005

Several news sources are reporting today that Midland F1 undertook a V10 against V8 power test and discovered that despite FIA regulations those teams using limited V10s have a marked advantage over those using 2006 V8 engines It is important that we all take this news with a pinch of salt. All of the news sources that are carrying this news are not declaring where they first heard it.

According to these sources, Midland F1 are concerned about Scuderia Toro Rosso using an FIA limited V10 engine next year. In order to satisfy those concerns the team have reportedly undertaken comparison tests against their Toyota V8 unit. As it stands at the moment Toro Rosso are allowed to use a V10 engine in 2006 as long as it is rev. limited to 16,500 rpm and fitted with a 77mm airbox intake.

Midland's study has apparently revealed that STR will start the season with around 800bhp, and enjoy a 50-100bhp power advantage over it's rivals.

At this time it is unclear whether these claims are true or simply fantasy - as ever MF1O will attempt to find out. The FIA, so far, have not voiced any comment although that may have more to do with the fact that we are in the Christmas/New Year holiday period than anything else.

One thing is certain however, if these claims are true then the FIA will have to do something in order to redress the balance on engine power. They have always claimed that a restricted V10 would not be more powerful than a 2006 regulation V8 - something that todays news sheds doubt on.