How have Formula 1 Engines changed over the last decade?
Over the last decade, Formula 1 has undergone massive technological changes to keep up with the times, especially their engines. When it used to be all about raw power, we had the roaring V8’s but now in a world of environmental protection, it is a game of efficiency, hybrid power and cutting-edge engineering. In this article, we will look at how F1 engines have evolved over time and what makes the current engines different to what they used to be.
From V8 to V6 – A Huge Shift
In the early 2010’s F1 cars were powered by naturally aspirated V8 engines. The key characteristics of these engines were that they were loud, powerful, and they were relatively straightforward by today’s standards. The 2.4 litre V8 was the standard from 2006 to 2013 and became a massive fan favourite due to their high-revving scream. The fans loved them and wanted to see them in person.
In 2014, F1 introduced a massive change that reshaped the sport. This move was changing the 2.4 litre V8 to the 1.6 litre V6 turbo-hybrid engine. This change was to reduce engine size, but not only that, it was to push F1 to be more relevant to road car technology and meet environmental goals. As you can imagine, this change caused a slight up-roar with the fans as they believed the sport had lost its excitement and emotion as the car sounded more like a whine than a roar.
Enter the Turbocharging
With the downsize of engine from a V8 to a V6, turbocharging made a comeback. Turbo engines had been used before in F1 in the 1980’s, but the modern version is far more refined. The turbo forces more air into the engine, which allows it to burn more fuel and produce more power from a smaller displacement. This is essential for keeping performance high even with a smaller engine. This combination of V6 layout and turbocharging results in engine’s that are light, more fuel efficient, but still incredibly fast.
Hybrid Power and KERS
One of the most jaw-dropping changes in the last decade has been the integration of hybrid technology. In modern F1, engines are now “power units” that combine internal combustion with electric power recovery systems.
The concept of energy recovery started with KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) in 2009, it allowed cars to store energy from braking and reuse it for a short boost of power. This evolved into more advanced ERS (Energy Recovery System) that includes both kinetic and thermal energy recovery. The electric motor (MGU-K) captures energy during braking, while the MGU-H recovers heat from the turbo. All the energy is then stored in a battery and deployed to enhance acceleration.
A New Kind of Racing
Today’s F1 power units are incredibly clever engineering. These engine’s produce over 1000 horsepower while also being highly fuel-efficient and using just a limited number of components over a full season. The newer engines are significantly quieter, but they are reduced in size and are helping to meet the new environmental goals.
Whilst many cherish and miss the screams of the old V8’s, the modern V6 turbo and hybrid systems are a testament to how far technology has come and where it could potentially head in the future.
Whether you are a new F1 fan or a long-tine fan, you have to admit that F1 engines have changed drastically, and that change has made the sport fascinating.
