Formula 1 will be much louder in 2016

Williams technical boss Pat Symonds reeled that he expects engine volume of Formula 1 will be turned up substantially this year.

He said on Friday that, simply through "normal development" of the power units since their introduction in 2014, they are already louder. But for 2016, rule changes to the wastegate will deliberately turn up the volume.

"When (the wastegate) is closed, it is about 14 per cent louder," Symonds is quoted as saying in international media reports. "And when open, it will be up to 20 to 25 per cent, so quite a lot."

Symonds was also asked about FIA president Jean Todt's claim that, for the sake of the 'show', F1 should consider accepting the relatively low cost of reintroducing in-race refuelling.

"It will cost far more than EUR 50,000 (per team) - that will not even pay for the freight," he is quoted by L'Equipe. "It will also have an impact on race strategy so for me I would be sorry if we brought it (refuelling) back."