When F1 and Ecology Want to Coexist

The FIA hopes to adopt more environmentally friendly rules before the technical choices for future engine blocks are finalized at the beginning of 2013.

Formula 1 teams are trying to reach an agreement on a new set of regulations for these engines, with the stated goal of a limit set at 1.5-liter turbocharged and coupled with the KERS system, the famous energy recovery process that was removed this season.

Such a measure, giving pride of place to smaller capacities and more fuel-efficient engines, would be welcome as the notion of environmental respect is very much in the zeitgeist. The FIA even hopes that these changes can be implemented before the initially planned date. To achieve this, it would be ready to force teams to improve their fuel economy.

Gilles Simon, the director of powertrain and electronics at the FIA, stated: “We must try to advance fuel economy. If, as a mechanic, I set myself a maximum amount of fuel, I will try to provide the driver with the maximum possible power by building an engine that is as efficient as possible.”

he adds:

«It is a technical competition, and when efficiency is good for production cars, it can also be good for single-seaters. So we want to try to adapt these rules before the final version of the future engine. »

Gilles Simon believes it is essential that any initiative aimed at modifying F1 regulations should be part of a strategy intended to satisfy the mainstream automotive industry.

Ideally, we would like to understand where production cars will be in five to ten years. We could then establish regulations for the next three years in order to anticipate. This is the most difficult path because we do not want to impose our own point of view. We need to have an accurate view of the situation of car manufacturers in the future.

After that, we will do what is logical for the different championships. I think it would be a plus for the show with engines featuring reduced displacements and a drop in torque; you could use more electric torque, which would then make the difference between the cars. At the same time, we must support development and highlight the technologies and hybrid performances that will be used in everyday cars.

Simon also believes that the general public needs to be better informed, particularly about how the single-seaters emit very little carbon when they are on the track:

Less than one percent of a F1 team’s carbon footprint comes from the race. The rest is related to the operation of a team, and notably, more than 60 percent of the carbon footprint comes from the electricity used in factories and wind tunnels.

The coexistence between production cars and racing cars must result in an exchange of best practices, allowing all parties involved to meet environmental requirements. F1 is the pinnacle of motor sports, and if tomorrow everyone could have the same engine as the single-seater of their dreams in their everyday car, it might then be time to talk about a historic and resounding victory.