NL_Fer wrote: ↑24 Oct 2020, 20:02
Jolle wrote: ↑24 Oct 2020, 15:17
If cost is your main complaint, the first question is, are the rules around these PU's is what making them expensive or is it a choice of the manufactures to spend so much?
In other words, if we would go to a simpler design, would Daimler, Ferrari and Renault cut their budget or just do more development on whatever the rules are then?
It is al about splitting the cost for those who want to pickup the bill.
Daimler & Renault would probably be interested in develop both ICE & electric driveline. Maybe Aston Martin only wants to built the ICE and leave the electric part to another manufacturer. Maybe Ferrari wants to market the electric under Magneti Marelli. Teams like Redbull & McLaren could by an ICE from Cosworth and develop the electric part in house.
By splitting the ICE and electric drive part, more combinations are possible for smaller manufacturers and independent F1 teams.
It is all about keeping F1 relevant in a fast changing world of mobility. And I don’t think that heavy electrical storage is the way to go, for F1. Also FE is already about battery powered racecars.
Induction charging could lower the weight, while manufacturers/suppliers/teams can develop/market the electric drivetrain and energy buffer.
All of that they could (and probably are) doing that. FCO for instance buys designs and parts from Mahle, MM and Garrett. Good chance their batteries are Panasonic. Daimler chooses to do lots themselves but probably outsource a lot in-house of Daimler and I presume their fuel system is Bosch.
McLaren has their own applied electronics division. They could buy a design for the ICE as they have done for their road car.
The problem isn’t who builds what, but who’s willing to pay. And with the deep pockets of Daimler and FCO/PMI, whatever the formula is, the costs are high.
For RedBull for instance, there are enough companies that can design, develop and build a V6 hybrid turbo, but there are very few that are willing to cough up 500mln to develop it.