Formula 1 is rightly called the pinnacle of motorsport for the stratospheric levels of engineering involved in the sport. And with astronomical amounts of money spent every year, it is capturing the attention of billionaires to invest in it. Teams try to improvise every regulation and pioneer in the areas of aerodynamics, powertrain, tyres, vehicle dynamics and so forth to gain the upper hand over the rivals. Above all, there is one particular factor which clearly provides a vindication for the statement “Pinnacle of motorsport” and that is none other than the obvious extreme revving powerplants. The high pitched sound of the F1 engines is what interests fans and gives the sport the much needed spectacle. Formula one has come across many regulations in the area of engines with each one of them setting more restrictions and in turn challenges to the teams and the manufacturers.
Let us review a few notable engine configurations in F1
The cars of 1950s and 1960s had a variety of powerplants like 4.5L naturally aspirated, 1.5L turbo and supercharged, 1980s banned turbochargers and allowed only 3.0L and 3.5L NA mills which gave the manufacturers manifold challenges in designing and developing the naturally aspirated engines. Early and mid 90s used 3.0L mills redlining at 19000rpm which continued to power the cars till 2005. The 3.0L mills were downsized to 2.4L in 2006 and the present day F1 cars use the same 2.4L naturally aspirated units and their era ends in 2012.
2013 regulations are going to bring about a sea change in Formula one racing. With new lambasted challenges set for the future of the sport, the teams have got a lot of work to do to keep the ball rolling. Massive downsizing from 2.4L V8 to 1.6L inline-4 turbocharged will result in the power being reduced from 750bhp to about 600bhp and the rev limit will be 50% less and the end result is less noise and performance and most importantly reduced spectacle!
Here’s an analysis of the engines used in Formula one racing from 1950 till date. It is explicit that naturally aspirated mills have been ruling the roost for most of the seasons. A few forced induction units were also giving a challenging competition between the years 1960 and 1980. Since their ban in 1989 turbochargers could not make their foray into the sport however if their return in 2013 will be telling is highly in doubt.
The sound of the current high revving V8s whets the adrenaline of fans more than anything in the sport. Redlining at 18000 rpm and pumping out a devastating 750 bhp the V8 engines make the sport stand out from other classes of racing.
A look into the upsides and downsides of the forthcoming regulations
The engines will be more efficient and environment friendly thereby encouraging engineers to mimic the technologies into the road cars. Only 600bhp will be from the engines while the KERS [Kinetic Energy Recovery System] will be required to provide the remaining 150bhp (thereby giving the engineers more challenges in designing a powerful KERS). New tougher regulations mean more manufacturers will be attracted to the sport creating a wider horizon for challenges in the powertrain department within the sport.
The motive of greener racing is strongly encouraged but that must not impact in any way, the thrills and spills offered by the sport. Lower rev limit will curb the engine noise and reduced displacement will result in lesser power. This is worrying as fans and critics might start rating F1 on par with other lower levels of open wheel racing. Formula one is the blue riband of motor racing and such regulations must not dwindle the spectacle of the sport and the interests of fans in any way. Read New regulations in F1 – boon or bane? to learn about the impact of forthcoming regulations on the sport.
Hitherto, the sport has been delivering high class spectacle and the engines justify that it is still the pinnacle of motorsport however there are questions if this will continue for years considering the new engine regulations coming into effect in 2013.
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