Formula 1 Series - Gokul

Formula 1 Power Unit


When someone say the word racing , the first word  that comes to your mind is Formula 1 . Even though the entire vehicle engineering is important , without power unit , there is no purpose of the entire vehicle. It is like brain of the Car. What makes these power unit best in world? let us have a look into it.

Formula 1 power unit is not the fastest power unit. there are cars that can go at better speeds. Infact modern Formula1 cars reach a speed  not more than 350Kmph, what then makes this a best power unit in the world? this is because they are smartly engineered. Buggati Veyron which has a massive engine , weighs 490 kgs, and weighs almost 900 kgs with entire transmission setup, when this is compared to entire formula 1 car it weighs more than 150 kgs. Buggati veyron uses a 8 L W16 Engine produces a peak horse power of 1184. while Formula 1 use a 1.6 L turbo charged engine that can produce a peak engine horse power of 600 Hp which is further aided by electric motor that adds like 80 Hp( depends on team and design) and when boosted with ERS(Energy Recovery System) can give like 150 Hp to wheels and the entire formula 1 power unit weighs about 145 kgs(maximum). Veyron has a kerb weight of 1990kg , that means it has a power is to weight ratio of 594.97( Hp/Ton). When this is compared to Formula 1 Car , it can  bluntly have a power is to weight ratio of 906.67(Hp/Ton) and when powered with ERS it can produce  up to 1000 Horse power per Ton , making it a car with highest power is to weight ratio.


Why this lower weight cannot be achieved in Veyron ? This is because formula 1 power unit is engineered for requirement, The maximum distance a engine of a formula 1 can last is like 400km ( that is par, and maximum what is achieved), while the veyron can cover 1000km at a stretch , making it more reliable vehicle. Also a formula 1 engine can hardly last a season. That is why FIA conducting Formula 1 allow 3 engines to use throughout the whole season.

What makes the Power Unit?
  • Internal Combustion Engine
  • Motor Generation Unit  - Heat
  • Motor Generation Unit - Kinetic


Let us look into all this in further post.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Danke Seb! Lessons to learn from this legend.

Image
Danke Seb.  I have been a great fan of Sebastian even from the times he was hated the most in the grid. Not because he is winning, In fact, I have been following F1 since 2014, that is precisely when Sebastian started to lose his dominance. I liked Seb back then because we shared birthdays on the same day. He might not leave the track with a greater note for his name, But no one started like him in the history of F1. Sebastian made his debut back in the 2007 US Grand Prix as a replacement for Robert Kubica who was injured in that race. He started in the seventh position and finished in eighth to become the then-youngest driver to score a point in Formula 1. He scored 6 points for his name in just 1 race and placed 15/25 in the driver standings. Sebastian's early carrier was not a great journey compared to the likes of Hamilton who had a GP2 championship in fact Sebastian just drove European Formula 3 and placed 5th in the championship. His early day's admission into F1 was crit
Read more

Tyre Dynamics - The Dark Art.

Image
 The Dark Art As we saw about the power unit in the previous week, We are going to look at something that is going to deliver the power from power unit. If you ask any engineer , what part of a car you don’t want to work on, his answer will be simple , TIRES . Yes , you read it correct. Tires are the most ignored aspect of a car when it comes to customer point of view , but it is a nightmare for engineers. Indeed tires are considered dark arts of Vehicle Engineering. This is because tires are the one part, that is made up of n number of assumptions. In fact, no two tire made up of same manufacturer of same profile is same . Let us look into them in this post. Ever wondered, How a metal tube of maximum 5 inch could manage to take the part load of a car? But the honest truth is rubber made tires carry the full load of a car. Imagine how strong these tires had to made.   Tires are the only part that are in contact with the ground, which means , whatever has to be done in between vehicle
Read more