Divided formula

In but a few days time, another intense season of Grand Prix racing will start in Brazil. Two types of engine, turbocharged up to 1.5-litres and non-blown up to 3.5-litres, will compete against each other until the FISA ban on turbo-charging takes effect in 1989, with the turbos further restricted to a maximum boost of 35 lb/sq in.

There has been excellent Grand Prix racing before under a two-tier formula, when each make of car was competing directly with the others and separate classes were not recognised, as when 4.5-litre Ferraris battled against 1.5-litre Alfettas.

Motor Sport continues to believe that racing and rallying can teach production-car designers useful lessons. Carbon-fibre construction techniques, anti-lock brakes, four wheel drive and non-inflammable fuel systems are just some examples.

So, with so many road-car manufacturers resorting to turbocharging as a means of increasing performance, it does seem odd that turbo-power is to be banished from Formula One next year. Can it be that FISA and FOCA have foreseen the change which Gatso is rumoured to be about to introduce into the motoring scene?