Are F1’s hybrid engines as glorious and special as they claim?

Formula 1 introduced the technology-driven V6 turbo engines back in 2014, which accordingly received a lot of criticism from fans. And the reactions weren’t exactly shocking considering that Formula 1 had to lose one of the most attractive aspects of the car – the sound.

ADVERTISING

Article continues under this ad

The cars became noticeably quieter, which makes them an absolute contrast to the screeching V8 and V10 engines. Then there was the cost of the rocket; Many teams suffered financial mishaps as the F1 had to deviate from traditional internal combustion engines and focus more on hybrids.

Formula 1 F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, USA – Charles Leclerc of Ferrari in action during qualifying REUTERS / Mike Blake

Hence, the initial cost would always be monumental. But after the first few years, i.e. 2013 and 2014, the teams managed to break away from the bankruptcy fears. On the whole, the sport looks very balanced, especially given the inclusion of cost caps and engine shutdown.

ADVERTISING

Article continues under this ad

However, despite the desperate efforts of F1 and the FIA, the turbo hybrids are still receiving a lot of flak from the crowd. But the current hybrid era isn’t as bad as it sounds. In fact, this is one of the most overwhelming technological booms we’ve seen in the entire motorsport industry.

Why the hybrid F1 engines are special

There are still a handful of spectators lamenting the presence of V6 engines and calling for the return of the V8 and V10. But given the direction the entire automotive industry is marching in, F1 is certainly on the right track.

So let’s take a look at how V6 hybrids stand out from other engines. The hour of birth of the energy recovery system was KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System). And in 2014, F1 decided to fire KERS and prefer to go with two modern units, MGU-H and MGU-K.

Pierre Gasly from France with the (10) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB15 leads Antonio Giovinazzi from Italy with the (99) Alfa Romeo Racing C38 Ferrari on the track during the F1 Grand Prix of France at the Paul Ricard Circuit in Le Castellet, France . (Photo by Charles Coates / Getty Images)

While the former gets energy from braking, the latter gets energy from the heat of the exhaust. When accelerating, the turbocharger would rotate at around 100,000 rpm and generate enough heat to feed the MGU-H, which in turn transfers it to the MGU-K.

This MGU-K, connected to the crankshaft of the combustion engine, will provide the DRS with its full power. This is certainly a clever job of the hybrid engines, which not only saves a lot of energy and fuel, but also produces some record-breaking lap times and top speeds.

Hybrid Era, The Much-Needed Breakthrough?

Let’s say F1 stays with the V8s beyond 2014; how bad could it have been? Of course, it wouldn’t have affected the sport much, at least not until the early 2010s.

ADVERTISING

Article continues under this ad

However, since the automotive industry is heading for much more environmentally friendly cars and the “electric age” is clearly prioritized, the F1 would have been lagging behind other racing series. F1 could have been described as an environmentally harmful motorsport series.

Formula 1 F1 – Great Britain Grand Prix – Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, UK – July 15, 2021 The new 2022 F1 car to be revealed during a promotional photo shoot REUTERS / Andrew Couldridge

Fortunately, that’s not the case with today’s hybrid engines. In addition, there are major changes in terms of sustainable fuels that could well reduce CO2 emissions. And Formula 1 is leading this path, and other series are striving to join the premier class of motorsport.

ADVERTISING

Article continues under this ad

All in all, in the midst of fully electric Formula E and Extreme E, we have Formula 1, a sport that is proving to be a worthy alternative to full electrification with hybrid drives and partially sustainable fuel and which also strives for maximum sustainability at 100%.

View history: Biggest crashes from 2020 with Leclerc, Vettel & Grosjean