In Formula 1 racing, two major factors make a winning team. First is the driver and how skilled he is, and second is the F1 car. The FIA has rules and regulations set in place to govern the manufacturing of the F1 vehicle. What kind of technology can be incorporated into the car, the type of engine in the car, and the car’s design are all governed by specific regulations. Each team’s challenge is to stay within these regulations and still build a car that will outperform their opponents.
In this article, we will specifically discuss the Formula 1 engine – the kind of add-ons that make it work so well as well as how it differs from the engine of regular cars.
Turbocharger
One way to increase the power of a formula 1 race car is by allowing more air to enter the engine for combustion. The increased volume of air will allow for an increased volume of fuel to burn, which will produce more power. This works in tandem with fuel pumps that allow for adequate amounts of fuel to enter the vehicle for combustion.
The turbocharger in a F1 car works by passing compressed fresh air into the engine. This allows each cylinder to generate a greater power stroke. An increase in the power stroke translates to increased power without increasing the engine’s size.
Engine Oil
F1 cars don’t use engine oil used in regular cars. The engine oil used in F1 engines is very different. The regular motor oil that we use would make the F1 engine heat up and cause friction between the engine parts.
Most F1 teams have their own motor oil manufacturers that produce oil for each team’s vehicle. The oil is a secret mix, the components of which aren’t disclosed to the general public.
F1 cars need engine oil to keep the engine moving smoothly. Because a F1 engine performs at 12,000 RPM and above, which is twice of what our regular cars go through, the oil has to work harder to keep the engine running smoothly.
Such high RPM will produce friction and generate extreme heat as well. We are talking about temperatures that can reach 1000 degrees Celsius. That’s right. Temperatures this high need to be managed well to prevent catastrophes.
This is why an F1 car’s engine oil is very different and specific for each team’s vehicle. It is synthetically made to cater to each car’s engine.
Cooling System
As we have discussed above, the F1 engine gets hot. Because it is expected to generate such high power to make the car go at speeds of 300km/h and above, this high power generation has a by-product which is heat.
To manage this high heat level, you need a great cooling system. The F1 cooling system is why the engine doesn’t heat up and seize in the middle of the race.
The cooling system of an F1 car is somewhat similar to a regular car. But the difference lies in the number of radiators, the amount of air, and the type of liquid coolant used.
A mixture of water and glycol is used as a coolant in a F1 car. And a F1 vehicle has air inlets that allow for the maximum amount of air to enter the vehicle.
The coolant travels to the engine and absorbs the heat the engine produces. After that, it returns to the car’s radiator and transfers that heat into the air through the radiator fins. F1 cars have more than one radiators with a large surface area to allow for maximum heat transfer.
This cooling system ensures that the engine is functioning – even under high temperatures.
Differences Between A F1 Engine And A Regular Engine
- The F1 engine differs from a regular car’s engine in how it starts. An F1 car’s engine needs to be preheated before starting, unlike a regular car where you sit in the car and start the engine and drive off. The F1 car has an external water and oil pump that will push lubricant and coolant into the inner passages of the engine. This lubricant and coolant will enter the engine at 80 degrees Celsius
- Secondly, the F1 engine consumes a lot of fuel. Compared to an average car engine, the F1 consumes about 1.3 liters of fuel for traveling one kilometer. Can you imagine your car giving you this mileage? This is because to produce such high power, a lot of fuel needs to be burnt in a very short amount of time
- Our regular engines are built to last. If we take good care of them and change the oil regularly, change the filters, and use the best fuel-air separation systems, our engines will last a long time. But an F1 car’s engine is not built to last. It is built for speed and only speed. An F1 engine will last 1000 kilometers, after which the engine will have to be stripped, and parts will need to be changed
- F1 engines are also very expensive compared to regular engines. An F1 engine costs around $7 Million. Regular engine doesn’t even cost a fraction of this amount
- Our engines have a small cooling system, whereas a F1 engine has a big cooling system. It doesn’t have a small radiator upfront like our cars. There are big radiators in the side pods with large surface areas for maximum heat transfer
F1 Engine History
The F1 engine has changed a lot over the years. Between 1970 and 1971, F1 cars were allowed an engine with a capacity of 1500cc with a compressor or a 3000cc engine with no compressor.
Then in 1989, this capacity was capped at 3500cc without a compressor. The FIA changed this rule in 2004 and made the engine capacity 3000cc.
In 2006, this was changed to 2400cc with an engine having 8 cylinders. In the next decade, more changes were incorporated with regard to the engine size and capacity, and now in 2022, the F1 car has a 1.6L engine with a V6 turbo.
Conclusion
F1 racing is a multibillion-dollar industry, with fans all over the world. This sport is ever-evolving, with new cars every season incorporating cutting-edge technology. We hope this article has given you a glimpse into this industry and you’ve learned how complex these machines are.
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