Jejking wrote: ↑28 Sep 2018, 17:23
I think MGU-H in idle can charge the ES, just like a normal hybrid car can do. ES can't be empty, the emptier it gets, the more damaging that is for the cells. They have to be on the shelf with a bit of charge left in it.
Normally I reckon that the ES can't be charged externally, it's not allowed to do that while in the garage. Not sure which part of the regulation, somebody with a copy of the rulebook can rub that in my face probably (:
Yeah, I meant empty from a SOC point of view.
The only rules I see are on the Energy Flow Diagram, which state;
1) The difference between the maximum and the minimum state of charge of the ES may not exceed 4MJ at any time the car is on track,
2) The amount of stored energy in any ES may not be increased whilst the car is stationary in the pit lane or garage during qualifying Session or during a race pit stop.
But now I think I can answer my own question. If the SOC range is effectively defined while "the car is on the track" -> the driver can start the car on the pitlane using the MGU-K and not use up any of the allowed SOC as its range (floor and ceiling) are not yet defined. As you mentioned the battery will already have some no-zero charge (estimated to be in double digit MJ range) as this would otherwise be detrimental to the battery. Since the car is not yet on track the SOC floor and ceiling will be defined when the car is actually on track so the starting energy is a non-issue.
Having said all that, it was FP1 and not the race, so who knows... there might not be any charging rules in place at this time.