snipt from some f1 fanzine:

Watch Cosworth rev to over 20,000 RPM Go to Cosworth's website www.cosworth.com and watch the video of their new F1 V8 rev to over 20,000 RPM. 21K to 22K is predicted by 2006. So what did F1 accomplish by switching to a V8? Answer - higher revs and hence higher cost. The shorter crank of a V8 vs. a V10, coupled with smaller pistons of 2.4 L vs. 3.0 L allows higher RPM. The shrill of a F1 engine already damages eardrums at 19,000 RPM. We advise parents not to take children to F1 races without adequate ear protection to avoid permanent eardrum damage. We're sorry, but if F1 does not implement a rev-limit, or a minimum stroke, soon they are just being irresponsible.

Wow

It's just like the rest of the F1 rules, they change them to slow the cars down, but it's only a matter of a little time and a lot of $$$ before the teams regain the speed and even push ahead.