Jenson Button says the latest generation of Formula One engines feel more powerful than any of the ones he has driven before even though headline bhp figures have not increased.
The new V6 turbos produce much more torque at lower revs than the previous naturally aspirated V8s and V10s Button has driven in the past, while the headline bhp figure of the engine and Energy Recovery System (ERS) remains similar to last year’s V8s. After his first day behind the wheel of the McLaren, he said the acceleration out of slow corners makes the MP4-29 feel more powerful than the cars he has driven before.
“The power of the engine is nice,” Button said. “It’s very torquey, it feels like the most powerful engine I’ve driven. It obviously isn’t in terms of outright power, but as a racing driver you feel the torque and power at the low speed and at 300 km/h you don’t really feel the difference.