I would make the case for series hybrids with a small, powerful, four cylinder ICE. Here are my thoughts:
The engine formula should not be considered in isolation from the rest of the car
- Set the target power output based on the speeds desired, while minimizing the power required by opening up aero options for low-drag downforce. This will enhance road relevancy as road cars have and continue to advanced with drag coefficients in the mid to low 0.20 figures. Obviously, a downforce racing formula won't get near this, but reducing drag will reduce power by at least a 1.5 exponent. So perhaps target a maximum cd for say, Monaco of 0.9 compared to the current 1.1+. Minimizing the power required to run at the target speeds for each track will inform the power unit specification. Lowering the power required will minimize the weight of components associated with a hybrid powertrain, a bugaboo of the current engine formula
- A desire to maintain Formula 1 as the pinnacle of motorsport technology, and as a laboratory for developing technology that is relevant to road cars.
- This implies a vetting and testing of potential future technologies. I think in that regard, even a "failure" can be an informative success and as such is the proper view of the current formula. They currently have achieved 43 percent thermal efficiency, and 30% less fuel consumption. Yet they also learned that reliability is difficult with the MGU-H tech, and that it is an expensive powerplant. Lesson learned, time to move onto a new concept to test. For the next "lab test", I would like to see a series hybrid. This would allow simplification/cost reduction in that it eliminates the transmission. Focus then becomes on making the ICE the most efficient generator possible. Define the ICE format in such a way as to focus on the refinement of road applicable tech. Twin charging, HCCI, turbo charging, other forms of thermal heat recovery, but no expensive MGU-H from which we have perhaps learned all we can. Perhaps use a high power density spec electric motor and generator, but allow open battery and KERS technology , as that area needs the most development for road relevancy.
- Striving for future power units to be powerful, while becoming simpler and less costly to develop and produce
- Again, eliminate MGU-H for simplicity. A series hybrid to remove the transmission cost, and also as a potential failure point. Spec electric motor to control cost. Focus development money on the most road relevant needs: batteries and/or capacitors, and ICE efficiency.
- Improving the sound of the power units
- A series hybrid would likely operate in a narrow rpm range, with the potential for a distinctive engine note. But in reality this is an entertainment/production issue. Perhaps focus on microphone pick-up enhancement for TV viewers, and some form of loudspeaker enhancement via the PA systems at the circuit. For me, the sound enhancement issue should be bracketed off from the tech that impacts racing. Allow this to influence performance tech is akin to the fan-boost in Formula E. No thank you!
- A desire to allow drivers to drive harder at all times.
- This is another issue that cannot be addressed via the power unit alone. Tires play a huge role in this, perhaps more than any fuel conservation strategy. The first step is a tire that can take the punishment. The second step is a power unit that can operate reliably at near 100% of its performance envelope. This again recommends a series hybrid that can be designed to operate reliably in a narrow power range. Perhaps narrow the ICE tech to something more bullet-proof and scrap my "other thermal heat recovery" suggestion in order to get high reliability at high load factors, and remove incentives to turn down engine performance. In this case, performance enhancement would come from optimized battery tech, optimized kinetic energy recovery by adding front axle KERS. Recovery more electric energy, deploy more recovered energy, minimize the (ICE) generated energy development (cost simplification) and generated energy required (low drag down-force, increased mechanical grip).
Thoughts?