Noisy problems - will wastegate changes solve Formula 1's sound complaints?

Ever since the V6 turbo engines were introduced at the start of the 2014 season, Formula 1 has faced waves of criticism over the noise produced by the hybrid power units.

But, as a number of the teams have released video and audio previews of their new challengers firing up for the first time ahead of the opening pre-season test, sound is on the agenda again.

The 2016 regulations have been changed to make the exhaust sound louder for this season.

So what exactly has been done?

Wastegate rule change

The FIA had altered the rules so that F1 engines will now have separate exhaust pipes for the turbine and wastegates. Previously, the wastegates, which can either have one or two exits according to the 2016 rules, were shut off within the V6 engines. This reduced noise levels and the governing body moved to open up the wastegate in a bid to improve sound levels.

Speaking at a media event to discuss the V6 power units that was attended by this website, Cowell said: "The noise is something that is important for the sport. This year the tailpipe goes all the way back. You are not allowed to interrupt it, and the wastegate exit must now go all the way to the back.

"The problem we had previously is that the wastegate was fed into the tailpipe, but most of the time the wastegate was shut, so it was just a dead end connected to the tailpipe.

"It was like a silencer. If you look down a silencer there is a perforated tube with wadding and a jacket on it, and that dead end was acting like a silencer, the same principal.

"The noise out of the tailpipe is louder, as measured on the dyno, and we will find out [in testing] what that materialises to in terms noise on the track.

2016 engine previews

But what do think? Take a look at the following videos released by Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren and Williams and decide for yourself if we can expect louder F1 engines in 2016.

Here’s Ferrari’s 2016 engine firing up.

Mercedes’ own effort.

McLaren-Honda’s 2016 design.

https://twitter.com/McLarenF1/status/698886469851545601?lang=en-gb

And finally, Williams FW38 being fired up.

https://twitter.com/WilliamsRacing/status/699547550257381376?lang=en-gb