F1 2014 Likely Engine Power Output

Concrete · 31 May 2013 at 11:48

I was going through the regulations this morning and I couldn't see any restriction on boost pressure. I don't think a specific turbo size has to be used either and a 1.6 at 15000rpm will produce plenty of exhaust gas and fuel flow isn't likely to be a big restriction either.

Given this, what is stopping the creation of 1000+ bhp engines for 2014?

Slackjaw190 · 31 May 2013 at 13:29

fuel flow

Zuban · 31 May 2013 at 13:40

overall fuel limit thats quite a lot less than this year aswell. something like 100kg vs 150kg, not sure the exact figures. The engines probably can produce a lot more, but between fuel flow limits and overall fuel limit there will be a limit to the power.

Reaper 392 · 31 May 2013 at 17:03

Zuban said:
overall fuel limit thats quite a lot less than this year aswell. something like 100kg vs 150kg, not sure the exact figures. The engines probably can produce a lot more, but between fuel flow limits and overall fuel limit there will be a limit to the power.

If the 100kg fuel limit is one of the major bottlenecks for engine power, could that mean we have much more powerful F1 cars at the tracks where fuel isn't so much of a problem which are then turned down for the more fuel intensive tracks like Singapore, will the fuel flow limits put a stop to that being the case?

Glaucus · 31 May 2013 at 17:24

I doubt it due to the limitations on gear sizes. Mainly they can't chop and chnage.

The HP will be down a fair chunk, the idea is that you will gain it all back if not slightly more with Kers, but as far as I know they're still doing the stupid time limit on Kers, rather than, it's upto you how much energy you recover and when to use it.

Skeeter · 31 May 2013 at 19:07

ERS energy is limited to an output per lap. 10x the power of now through motors 2x as powerfully, so roughly 35 seconds a lap. But, the requirement for it to be driver controlled is gone, so it can be deployed by the ECU however they want.

The engines also have to last a lot of weekends, which will stop them throwing massive boost through them.

Reaper 392 · 1 Jun 2013 at 20:43

Glaucus said:
I doubt it due to the limitations on gear sizes. Mainly they can't chop and chnage.

The HP will be down a fair chunk, the idea is that you will gain it all back if not slightly more with Kers, but as far as I know they're still doing the stupid time limit on Kers, rather than, it's upto you how much energy you recover and when to use it.

why would gear sizes stop them making the engine super powerful? Even if they didn't have an 8th gear that was long enough it would still be a massive advantage to have more power on the tracks where that was possible. i get the feeling that the regulation changes make the 100kg a reasonable target for all the races though so i doubt this will be a problem

As for the kers, having its use throughout the race be unlimited would be amazing. it would mean we get much more innovation in the kers department. all we'll be likely to get with the current specs is how to make it lighter.

this_is_gav · 1 Jun 2013 at 23:06

Reaper 392 said:
Even if they didn't have an 8th gear that was long enough it would still be a massive advantage to have more power on the tracks where that was possible.

A lack of power isn't necessarily a bad thing if you've got good torque. Drive off of corners is where the current V8s lack relative to their V10 predecessors. The generally consensus over the past few seasons seems to be that the current Renault engine probably has the best torque, drivability and fuel consumption, while the Mercedes has the best outright power. The Ferrari is somewhere between them. Meanwhile, the Cosworth is lacking in torque and fuel consumption, but it comparatively powerful.

As for the upcoming turbo engines, who knows... but the fact that the Renault appears to be far more expensive than the other engines suggests they cover the important bases better (which I'd assume will be, in order of importance, drivability, fuel consumption and power—the additional gear and turbo perhaps negating any lack of torque).

kaiowas · 2 Jun 2013 at 00:20

So if fuel capacity is the limiting factor that presumably means that mental qualifying maps are on the agenda assuming they can be implemented without drastically shortening engine life?

Even if they do affect engine life maybe one of the midfield runners will sacrifice an engine to get pole at Monaco in the hope that no one will be able to pass them in the race

Skeeter · 2 Jun 2013 at 16:34

this_is_gav said:
As for the upcoming turbo engines, who knows... but the fact that the Renault appears to be far more expensive than the other engines suggests they cover the important bases better

The Renault is the most expensive because they are using the fact they have won the last 3 WDC and WCC championships to bump the price.

kaiowas said:
So if fuel capacity is the limiting factor that presumably means that mental qualifying maps are on the agenda

Nope. Parc Ferme rules remain, as do the 2 engine maps per weekend (one wet, one dry) rules.

Reaper 392 · 2 Jun 2013 at 17:18

Skeeter said:
Nope. Parc Ferme rules remain, as do the 2 engine maps per weekend (one wet, one dry) rules.

is there anything stopping the teams from using the dry map for quali and the wet map for the race? yes it would mean that they're a bit screwed over when it rains, but for tracks where it never rains it could give them a huge advantage. basically what i'm asking is whether the FIA have to declare it a wet race to allow everyone to use the wet map, or can the teams swap over whenever they want.

also, there's plenty of different fuel mixtures which the teams can choose from so there's nothing stopping the teams having a super powerful fuel mix for quali, and a more eco fuel mix for the race

Goksly · 2 Jun 2013 at 18:16

I'm sure its all controlled by the fia else the wording would just be 2 maps.

Skeeter · 2 Jun 2013 at 18:30

Reaper 392 said:
basically what i'm asking is whether the FIA have to declare it a wet race to allow everyone to use the wet map

Yep. Engine maps fall under parc ferme rules. The wet map is a controlled and allowed breach of these rules in the even of a wet race.

Traffic_Warden · 21 Jun 2013 at 19:58

Renault F1s engine

Abraxaz1 · 22 Jun 2013 at 16:31

F1 is becoming more and more dull as the years go on; the past two years its been slow down to preserve tires, now it seems its going to be slow down to preserve fuel and tyres.
They might as well drive around in diesel transits with the advertising plastered to the sides, I haven't watched a full race in nearly two years and I used to watch them religiously