F1: Next year's power units to rev lower than allowed

[Dare]

From Auto123   


By René Fagnan,

Tuesday, November 19, 2013


Our colleague Craig Scarborough of ScrabsF1 was in Austin for the US Grand Prix and we talked about the 2014 V6 power units to be introduced in Formula 1 next season.

In a technical article we published November 14, titled “Eight fixed gear ratios for 2014” we wrote that for the new year F1 cars will require gearboxes with eight fixed gear ratios.

We asked Scarborough why the move to a “standard gearbox” in which the ratios are set was implemented for the entire season.

“The FIA wants to simplify things a bit by making the new power unit one complete package, and that would include the 1.6L V6 engine itself, the exhausts and the turbocharger, the Energy Recovery System (ERS), Motor Generator Unit - Kinetic (MGU-K), Motor Generator Unit - Heat (MGU-H), gearbox and transmission,” Scarborough replied.


This would prevent customer teams from having to shop around to find the right bits and pieces. The three power-unit manufacturers -- Ferrari, Mercedes, and Renault -- can propose complete packages to their customer teams.

“The idea behind this is to reduce costs as much as possible. The new power units will be extremely expensive, massively more than the current V8s. That’s also why the FIA has cut down on the number of power units that each driver will be allowed to use during the 2014 season,” Scarborough explained.

The Brit continued by telling us that most people are missing the point with the introduction of the turbo hybrids next year.

“It’s a shame that the main message being broadcasted is about the sound these power units will make. For me this is irrelevant. The big news should be that F1 will be using an engine that will use 30% less fuel for the same amount of power as this year. Imagine your reaction if your car salesman tells you that this new road car uses 30% less fuel! I think most people are missing the point here,” he added.

Next year, the cars will be limited to using only 100kg of fuel to cover the 300km of a Grand Prix. Not only will the size of the fuel tank be limited, but the fuel flow feeding the engine will also be restricted.

“Although there will be a mandatory 15,000 rpm rev limit put on the new engines, they will not rev that high. They will probably not exceed 10,500 rpm or around that figure,” Scarborough told Auto123.

“Since the engine will be fitted with one homologated FIA fuel flow sensor fuel restrictor, engineers realised through simulations and bench testing that revving the motor above that figure will be useless. Worst, the engine would then run much leaner, which is no good at all for reliability. But I am convinced that these power units will sound fantastic!” he said.

What about this gearbox with eight fixed gear ratios?

“Next year’s power units will generate so much torque that four or five speeds would be plenty enough. On certain tracks, the driver will only use five speeds; while on others, they’ll use seven or eight,” Scarborough explained.

[lkjohnson1950]

Now you're going to see economy runs. I remember when Group C was fuel limited, a number of races were won by cars running well off the pace who came through when the leaders ran out of fuel. The same in CART. I knew they were limiting tank size, but I didn't realize they were restricting the flow as well. This is bad.

[Scott]

10,500rpm??  Fuel flow limits?  Spec series, here we come.

Cost savings wouldn't be necessary if revenue distribution was corrected.

[John S]

Sure sounds like a recipe for mixed up racing to me, now isn't that what we have all been hoping for? 

I'm in favour of keeping the car's fuel use info away from the teams in the pits, lets see the drivers manage their own races instead of just following instructions from the pitwall. Let's see just who comes out on top then. 

[cosworth151]

So the "engines" will sound even worse then we feared. Lovely. The independent teams won't be able to mix and match driveline parts to gain advantage.

The races will be like speedway bicycle races, where everyone tries to go as slowly as possible until the last lap sprint.

[lkjohnson1950]

Never thought of that Cossie, but I think you're spot on. 

[Jericoke]

So the "engines" will sound even worse then we feared. Lovely. The independent teams won't be able to mix and match driveline parts to gain advantage.

The races will be like speedway bicycle races, where everyone tries to go as slowly as possible until the last lap sprint.

We'll be praying for safety cars!

A few laps of slow running will let the cars open up!

What kind of sport requires destruction and possible injury to put on a show? 

[John S]

What kind of sport requires destruction and possible injury to put on a show?

Ice Hockey, Boxing and Gridiron football spring to mind Jeri....... Oh and the Tour de France - ask Lance Armstrong. 

 

[F1fanaticBD]

Yes that will be an issue for 2014, the limited run we saw in 2013 regarding driving it in Delta's rather than going all out, I think it will be worst in 2014, as teams will realize saving fuel will help them with more chance to pick up a race win.

The issue of cost cutting will always ensure that it is being dragged into a spec-series, and yes, unhealthy distribution of revenue has to take the blame for it. I just have one thing to say, If you want extravagant wedding for your daughter Mr. E, please don't do that by ruining the sports which made you from a motorcycle sales man to a Billionaire.

[John S]

I just have one thing to say, If you want extravagant wedding for your daughter Mr. E, please don't do that by ruining the sports which made you from a motorcycle sales man to a Billionaire.

Bernie is not responsible for the 2014 changes BD. that's down to the FIA.

Bernie has also made a lot of other people in the F1 paddock rich too, ask Ron Dennis or Flavio to name just two.   

[F1fanaticBD]

I just have one thing to say, If you want extravagant wedding for your daughter Mr. E, please don't do that by ruining the sports which made you from a motorcycle sales man to a Billionaire.

Bernie is not responsible for the 2014 changes BD. that's down to the FIA.

Bernie has also made a lot of other people in the F1 paddock rich too, ask Ron Dennis or Flavio to name just two. 

Ron Dennis made a company that will certainly make Britain proud. I can't why a person like his caliber should not be a Billionaire.

I have not much issue with 2014 rule change, my issue is despite generating tremendous amount of revenues, the rule changes are centered around cost-cutting, not about bringing cutting edge technologies, and also almost hanging few teams almost by a faintest possible thread. That is because of the improper way of distribution of revenues. All this is made by Bernie, because he is in charge of making the revenue distribution, can't blame FIA there.