FIA mandates electric-only propulsion for pit lanes

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.
News Source: FIA via Pitpass

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Rule change number 6,000,090.... anyone want to challenge me on that rule change number.

rule change.... electric only f1 cars with sound systems to replace the engine sounds coming up very soon...

Yey.... hooray for the FIA!

 

Nice, heat sunk turbos. May make for some cool flames

 

Not going to challenge you, sounds right to me. The FIA stands for F'ed It Again.

The sport is fast becoming a joke but it still beats the heck out of any other form of motorsport.

 

Electric only in the pits? This SUCKS. I love to hear the drivers keeping the revs up, plus the quiet electric mode if you ask me will be unsafe as the crews won't hear anything....dumb move FIA.

 

No ignition and no fuel = no running motor.. So are the cars supposed to have onboard starters now and try and start it while rolling out of the pit exit?

 

I would assume a bump start as soon as they exit the pitlane, or a similarly clever device using the KERS to start the engine.

Not for this rule at all. When I come to power...this sport will be fixed good and proper

 

They are adding onboard starters as per the new rules.

 

Todt is losing the plodt, err plot.

 

This and 15k rev limits=joke.

 

yippee..... (thumbsdown)

 

Efficient and spectacular are rarely happily married. It doesn't mean they shouldn't try, though.

You can question what the essence/purpose is of F1, is it to provide spectacle or is it a breeding ground for cutting edge technology? I believe the latter to be most applicable.
New technology flushes down the old, the world is becoming a different place and efficiency will be very needed. Large spectacular engines are becoming a thing of the past; we have seen very small turbocharged engines before in F1, but I believe that this time the change will turn out to be permanent. That this process also washes away some of the spectacle, is something that is very unfortunate but it does happen. For example, I really like pre-war race cars, trains, planes etc - in many ways they're so much more spectacular than contemporary ones; perhaps not in speed but certainly in show. They all became obsolete which is very pityful, but for good reasons.

I am pretty sure this will eventually be looked back upon as a good move.

 

That part I'm actually happy with. It always bothered me that the cars aren't even capable of leaving the garage on their own.

But I fail to see the point in electric motors for the pitlane. If it satisfies the green folks and that's the end of it, then ok, but I doubt it would. It would only be the beginning of a new green trend.

 

LOL!

I must agree. What we're effectively witnessing is the neutering of F1.

F1 is supposed to be a spectacle. It's a motorsport series, not a motor-development-to-keep-Greenpeace-happy series. I want to see cars going as fast as possible with those big, loud, exciting, and fuel-guzzling engines.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

+1

 

You will but just not in the pit lane

 

Well, the problem is that for out on track, the engines are getting smaller and smaller... we're introducing electronic energy systems in the form of KERS. Engines are being required to last more and more races, and rev limits are dropping, meaning they're becoming more endurance machines than outright performance beasts. Soon they'll be mostly electric sewing machines buzzing around the track.

I want:

• No rev limits. Rev as high as you want, but the higher you go, the more your reliability might be compromised. It'll be fun to see a few more spectacular engine failures.
• KERS optional. The minimum dry weight of the car should be counted without KERS fitted. If KERS is that much of a benefit and it will save fuel, then the system should make up for its own weight.
• Set maximum displacement limits (e.g. 2.5 litres). If teams want to have their displacement in a V8, V10, V12, or whatever configuration then that's up to them. If teams want to run a slightly smaller displacement for additional fuel economy (and carrying less fuel weight around the track) then that's up to them.
• No turbos. I much prefer naturally aspirated engines.
• Completely open the tire choices for qualifying. Use as many of any tire as the teams want. This should be about raw pace rather than tire preservation. Tire limits/requirements should only apply to the actual race.
• Bring back refuelling, as it makes the strategy more interesting.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

If the electric motor is powerful enough to provide meaningful speed on the pit lane I'm sure they can figure out a way to engage the appropriate gear which would start the engine - this would eliminate the need for an additional starter.

 

Agree on all points. I miss big engine failures...the cars are too reliable today.

 

Hi, my name is joe from the FIA, and we are proposing completely electric cars for formula for the 2018 season. This is a great idea.

 

You know what? - I've been following it since before I can remember, and EVERY time they change the rules, we hear the exact same complaint! "The more things change, the more they stay the same...."

Further, the current "puny" (according to many) V8's are now going faster in many places than the "mighty" V10's they replaced.......Turbo's were going to kill F1 - And in the early days of the Renault, the lack of noise did suck - But come the end of the turbo era they were awesome!

They'll be OK, even running electric in the pits - No big deal and I guess something of an olive branch to the tree huggers......

+1 As we've said before, as long as they remain the fastest round a track, I'm happy.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Actually, I'm pretty sure the FIA is indeed proposing an all electric formula "soon"..... Not F1, but a new series. Toyota have built an electric open wheeler that they claim is darn quick.

What would kill F1 is if these sewing machines turn out to be quicker! [Even if they only last a few laps! ]

Cheers,
Ian

 

No big deal.
Change is change.
I havent heard from the "It all went to crap when the engines were put in the rear" crowd.
Perhaps they died off.

 

+1

The death of F1 is constantly overstated..... It's more popular than it's ever been, countries are clamoring to host races and the season is longer than ever.

Running electric in the pitlane won't kill it either.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Wonder if they could still exceed the pit lane speed limit on electric?

 

What's the betting it will be a spec electric system which is sealed and common to all teams?