F1 gone green crazy

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 22nd July 2011, 10:43 AM

lunacy.

FIA mandates electric-only propulsion for F1 grand prix pit lanes

By Noah Joseph
Posted Jul 21st 2011 1:57PM

37 4

Comments55

Go back into the history of grand prix racing, and the only green you'd expect to see was the color of a British racing car and the vast quantity of cash injected into the sport. But today, Formula One is different scene, thanks in no small part to a push by the FIA for a more environmentally friendly form of motorsport. Just take a look at the on-again, off-again implementation of regenerative braking and the limitation on everything from fuel to tires.

That push is set to take a big step forward (or backward, depending on who you're talking to) when the current high-revving V8 engines are replaced by 1.6-liter turbo sixes in 2014. But that's not the end of the changes. The FIA has just published further modifications to the regulations, which will now include the necessity for F1 cars to run entirely on electric power for the entire time they're in the pit lane.

According to Rule 5.19 of the revised technical regulations (which you can find in PDF form here), "The car must be run in electric mode (no ignition and no fuel supply to the engine) at all times when being driven in the pit lane." The new rules, which come into effect together with the new engines in 2014, also mandate the inclusion of on-board ignition (as opposed to the external starter motors used currently).

In order to accommodate electric-only propulsion in and out of pit lane, the new Energy Recovery Systems have been increased in capacity to 120 kW, and theywill also be allowed to recapture energy from exhaust fumes as well. Unfortunately, that also means waving goodbye to the high-pitched whine of the engine holding at the pit-lane rev limiter every time it goes in for fresh rubber, but as they'd say at FIA headquarters in France, c'est la vie.

**Slunnie** · 22nd July 2011, 11:56 AM

With regenerative breaking, onboard batteries and electric propulsion.... here comes the passing button to F1!

**VladTepes** · 22nd July 2011, 12:11 PM

What rubbish.

It's all about the NOISE !!!!!!

Without that it's just a pack of arrogant rich guys driving fast Prius's

**isuzurover** · 22nd July 2011, 12:15 PM

These rule changes will coincide with toyota releasing a 1.6L 6cyl turbo prius engine. F1 will then be known as Prius Racing

**clubagreenie** · 22nd July 2011, 12:41 PM

As unfortunate as it is, and believe me I grew up with motor racing. I was less than 3mths old in a box at a control point at a Southern Cross Rally in the rain. It is all about the noise but that noise has come in many forms. From 1.5lt and up, NA and FI and remember they said wings would ruin F1 once upon a time. Then we had wings and ground effects would kill it so they killed ground effects and fan cars. Imaging what we'd be driving if Gordon Murray was allowed to have his head.

If they remove or at least increase the lane speed limit and perhaps have the energy consumption in pit lane run more dependant on speed so you can go faster but you have less top-up available for the out lap (or out + 1) so someone who choses to go slower has the chance to catch up & perhaps pass.

We will still have the noise, just only when they are racing, the engineers will have some creative work to do to have a reliable starting system with an interesting activation mechanism. And thats where I believe they need to be heading (and have been for a while now) more reliable and longer lasting assemblies. Engines and gearboxes need to last longer. Now we need elec systems that will need to start the car, there would be very few people in the paddock still in F1 that worked on a car when that last happened. I think that Battery packs and KERS mechanisms need to be improved in durability and longevity.

All in all as a lot of people want, keep the specticle, but make it more relavent to the ordinary car and people.

If I could go back in time to the "Golden Era" of motor racing, where unfortunately many died, often week to week and I didn't have to worry about where the world was headed (and cars were real cars) I'd be there in a heartbeat. But it's a whole new world now. We need to enjoy what we have while it lasts because one day it won't be there.

**Slunnie** · 22nd July 2011, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by isuzurover

These rule changes will coincide with toyota releasing a 1.6L 6cyl turbo prius engine. F1 will then be known as Prius Racing

Bring on the qualifying motors too! 3000hp 1 lap wonders!

**isuzurover** · 22nd July 2011, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by clubagreenie

...Now we need elec systems that will need to start the car...

The system to start the car can be the same as the system to drive the car under electric power and provide regenerative braking...

These rule changes may have come from vehicle manufacturers trying to make F1 and passenger vehicle R&D coincide more closely again.

**Slunnie** · 22nd July 2011, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by clubagreenie

As unfortunate as it is, and believe me I grew up with motor racing. I was less than 3mths old in a box at a control point at a Southern Cross Rally in the rain. It is all about the noise but that noise has come in many forms. From 1.5lt and up, NA and FI and remember they said wings would ruin F1 once upon a time. Then we had wings and ground effects would kill it so they killed ground effects and fan cars. Imaging what we'd be driving if Gordon Murray was allowed to have his head.

If they remove or at least increase the lane speed limit and perhaps have the energy consumption in pit lane run more dependant on speed so you can go faster but you have less top-up available for the out lap (or out + 1) so someone who choses to go slower has the chance to catch up & perhaps pass.

We will still have the noise, just only when they are racing, the engineers will have some creative work to do to have a reliable starting system with an interesting activation mechanism. And thats where I believe they need to be heading (and have been for a while now) more reliable and longer lasting assemblies. Engines and gearboxes need to last longer. Now we need elec systems that will need to start the car, there would be very few people in the paddock still in F1 that worked on a car when that last happened. I think that Battery packs and KERS mechanisms need to be improved in durability and longevity.

All in all as a lot of people want, keep the specticle, but make it more relavent to the ordinary car and people.

If I could go back in time to the "Golden Era" of motor racing, where unfortunately many died, often week to week and I didn't have to worry about where the world was headed (and cars were real cars) I'd be there in a heartbeat. But it's a whole new world now. We need to enjoy what we have while it lasts because one day it won't be there.

If its about the noise, they should cap the revs in those V8's at 7000rpm.

**clubagreenie** · 22nd July 2011, 01:09 PM

If I can build a 11000rpm daily from a stock toyo V8 why can't they?

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 22nd July 2011, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by clubagreenie

All in all as a lot of people want, keep the specticle, but make it more relavent to the ordinary car and people.

I'm all for spectacle,,

but ordinary cars???? wtf??

whats the point of F1 if they look sound and go like HQ's???

actually HQ racing is better to watch,,

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