In 2011 it was finally agreed that, in 2014, Formula One would use a brand new hybrid power unit. It would be a 1.6-litre single turbo hybrid with kinetic and heat recovery systems from the turbo, stored in a battery that can deliver an extra 160hp directly back into the power unit. Now Formula One has been running for the past 18 months. The sport has been receiving very mixed comments on their connection to the sport, usage, reliability and purpose.
The new power units have provided a lifeline for the sport, as they have done in sportscar racing, to keep F1 and motorsport in general sustainable from an environmental point of view for a longer period of time. However, it is understandable that these new hybrid power units still receive a lot of criticism for being too quiet, slow and hard to understand. But this is the future of motorsport and it’s going to take a while to adjust for some.
So many fail to remember that in the late 1980s Formula One was using small engines even then; in the McLaren-Honda MP4/4 was a 1.5-litre normally aspirated engine producing nearly 1200hp in qualifying trim and even then the reliability count due to engine failures was still very high. The sport and fans had become accustomed to very good reliability during the V8 era from 2006-2013 because the engines were easily manageable.
A minority of fans have called for a return to V8 and/or V10 engines. Yes, they were noisy and exciting times as well, but the motoring industry is very quickly looking to steer away from that now as efficiency in the road car market is huge due to pressure from the global markets.
The new 1.6-litre turbo hybrid era is not slow by any means either. This year in 2015 the Mercedes power unit is producing well over 900hp in qualifying trim. This is helping produce lap times that are very similar to the very fast V10 era in which lap records fell like dominos.
The power units have to be admired for their power output and “drivability” despite the reduced efficiency that the regulations allow. The regulations allow 100kg of fuel per race, already a 30% reduction on the V8 engine, as well as a 100kg fuel flow limit which will regulate engine modes and how much power (and therefore fuel) can be used at any one time during a race.
One thing the sport has lacked is certainly education about the future of the hybrid power unit. The teams could very easily support this and help give the fans an understanding as to how these units work and the possibilities that they carry for the future of the sport and our road cars.
One thing is for certain: these hybrid power units are the future of powering Formula One for years to come and soon other motorsports will follow.
For a brief introduction to the hybrid power unit, here is a brief clip that may help fans understand the basics of what’s involved.
Main image:
