Written by: Adam Cooper, RACER Magazine Paris, France – 6/27/2007


The FIA World Motor Sport Council has today received a report analyzing potential Formula 1 regulation changes for 2011 and beyond.

Prepared by former Jaguar team principal Tony Purnell and long time F1 advisor and former Lotus designer Peter Wright, the report underlines the FIA’s push towards reducing costs by standardizing parts, while at the same time attempting to improve the quality of the racing.

There is a major focus on fuel efficiency, and of course on energy saving systems, which have long been a part of the FIA’s agenda. As noted previously, the emphasis is being put on powertrains rather than chassis/aero being the main performance differentiators between teams.

The FIA says that the proposals have been developed in consultation with the F1 manufacturers. Intriguingly, the list of those in the loop includes both the Ford Motor Company and the VW/Audi group. It’s been stressed that at the moment the report is a basis for discussion and is not yet a definitive set of regs.


Engine efficiency

To limit engine power by imposing a maximum energy flow rate. However, there will be few restrictions on the engine cycle, which can include turbocharging and energy recovery. It is believed that this will lead to a gain of at least 20% in thermal efficiency.

Drag

To allow moving aerodynamic devices, which will reduce drag by over 50% and allow a 40% reduction in the power required to maintain current speeds.

Energy recovery

Energy will be recovered during braking and returned to both front and rear axles when accelerating. The amount of energy returned on each straight will be limited in order to prevent top speeds exceeding the safety criteria for the circuits.

Fuel

The total amount of fuel energy to be consumed during a race will be regulated, encouraging further overall efficiency. The CO2 emitted will be further reduced
by the introduction of gasoline which is partly derived from sustainable, non-food bio sources but complies fully with pump fuel legislation.

Overtaking

Formula 1 cars currently find it very difficult to overtake because of the influence of the car in front. New aerodynamic rules will halve the downforce,
and desensitize the car to the influence of the wake of the car ahead. It is also proposed to eliminate automatically the downforce deficit of the following car.

Regulations

The best estimates of what these measures will mean in terms of regulations are currently as follows:

• 1.3-1.5 liter, 4-cylinder engine;
• no RPM or boost limit;
• energy flow rate to generate 300kW, including energy recovery from the
exhaust;
• 200kW brake energy recovery, front and rear axle;
• 400-600kJ energy return per straight;
• pump-legal bio-fuel;
• FIA specified and supplied undertray and possibly other aerodynamic components;
• 50% 2007 downforce;
• adjustable, regulated wings and cooling;
• automatic downforce adjustment when following another car;
• lap times and top speeds maintained at 2009 levels;
• over 50% reduction in fuel consumed.

Costs

A number of measures to constrain costs are proposed, including:

• standardization of components;
• homologation of components and assemblies;
• material restrictions;
• extended life of assemblies;
• restrictions on personnel and work at races;
• restrictions on the use of certain facilities (eg wind tunnels).

All these measures will be developed into detailed regulations in close
collaboration with the teams and manufacturers.’