F1 can thrive without big noise, according to former Michelin boss. He added that rewinding to the past would be the wrong step for F1.

Formula One can survive without the big engines and sounds of the past. That is the view of Pierre Dupasquier, the former head of Michelin’s Competition Department, who was in Formula 1 at the height of the V10 and tyre war era over a decade ago. Pierre Dupasquier led Michelin’s two periods of competition in Formula One, from 1977–1984 and from 2001 and until his retirement in 2005. He was awarded the French Légion d’honneur in December 2006 for his services to French motorsport.

Five years into the controversial ‘hybrid’ era, Formula 1 owner Liberty Media is now looking into making the category louder for 2021. But Pierre Dupasquier said the new generation will adjust to the modern age: “Young people are in another category,” he told France’s Auto Hebdo – “With the gaming consoles they’re getting used to something different and they’re seeing hybrid and electric cars on a daily basis as well. They will end up wondering why an F1 car makes so much noise,” Pierre Dupasquier added.

Indeed, he said rewinding to the past would be the wrong step for Formula One: “Nobody would understand this old machine in a time when road cars have all the modern finesse.” – the former head of Michelin’s Competition Department concluded.