FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

Discuss the sport you love with other motorsport fans

Formula One related discussion.
#266970
:yes: And if they did that engine size/power would be self regulating they wouldnt have to keep messing with engine regs.
#266990
The main issue I can see, though, is that a faulty starter unit would end your race as you'd cruise over the line at the end of the pit lane and...nothing.


But the F1 cars don't have onboard starter motors, starting the engines is all done in the garage by a starter motor inserted into the rear plus a lot of computers making sure everything is the right temp before even inserting the starter motor.
The petrol motor should still be on idle while the electric engine is powering the car I would think.


The new regulations state that drivers must be able to start the car themselves from the cockpit.


Didn't see that part, well there is anther thing to add weight to the cars, a starter motor :banghead:
#266991
Is this supposed to save fuel? Seems like a lot of trouble to save a little bit of fuel to me.
#266997
The main issue I can see, though, is that a faulty starter unit would end your race as you'd cruise over the line at the end of the pit lane and...nothing.


But the F1 cars don't have onboard starter motors, starting the engines is all done in the garage by a starter motor inserted into the rear plus a lot of computers making sure everything is the right temp before even inserting the starter motor.
The petrol motor should still be on idle while the electric engine is powering the car I would think.


The new regulations state that drivers must be able to start the car themselves from the cockpit.


Didn't see that part, well there is anther thing to add weight to the cars, a starter motor :banghead:


KERS is already an 85hp generator/motor connected to transmission. Redesign transmission with a starter gear but KERS batteries would need to be pre-charged before race start.
#267000
The extra weight you're talking about is not really extra - it simply takes away from ballast that would be available to move around for COG purposes; the overall weight will stay the same, the teams will make sure of that.
#267004
Surely the teams would be allowed to get the engines up to temp in the garage before heading out?


More than likely. I don't think they'd lose too much temperature travelling to the end of the pit lane, even if the garage was right at the start. The idea seems a good one, to me. It's (at least, in theory) pretty easy to propel the car along at the pit lane speed limit using only electric power, so why not? The main issue I can see, though, is that a faulty starter unit would end your race as you'd cruise over the line at the end of the pit lane and...nothing.


With hot and cold blown diffusers, the teams are already screwing with ignition and fuel settings in slow speed corners. Traveling at pit speed under KERS at pit out line ......... put it in gear, give it a little spark and gas and haul a$$. There's your starter.
#267013
The main issue I can see, though, is that a faulty starter unit would end your race as you'd cruise over the line at the end of the pit lane and...nothing.


But the F1 cars don't have onboard starter motors, starting the engines is all done in the garage by a starter motor inserted into the rear plus a lot of computers making sure everything is the right temp before even inserting the starter motor.
The petrol motor should still be on idle while the electric engine is powering the car I would think.


The new regulations state that drivers must be able to start the car themselves from the cockpit.


Didn't see that part, well there is anther thing to add weight to the cars, a starter motor :banghead:


Minimum weight is also being increased to 660kg, which I assume will take in to account the addition of a starter motor and larger batteries for KERS.
#267070
why can they not use the KERS motor as a starter motor?

Maybe the pit lane will be powered like giant slot cars.

This pit stop was brought to you by Scalextric

Image
#267084
So does this drain the KERS? So pit lane would be the main KERS activation zone? Exciting.

I would say so; the article says and I quote:

The braking energy recovery system will have a maximum energy output of 4 MJ per lap – meaning 33.3 seconds deployment at its full power of 160 hp. However, energy input will be limited to 2 MJ per lap, meaning drivers will only have an average of 16.6 seconds of deployment per lap, still more than today's 6.6 seconds.

16 seconds of usage in the pitlane? will that be enough especially in the longer pit lanes.

I think it's a good idea but it will be no doubt fraught with problems, KERS will need to be much more reliable to make this a viable solution!
#267085
So does this drain the KERS? So pit lane would be the main KERS activation zone? Exciting.

I would say so; the article says and I quote:

The braking energy recovery system will have a maximum energy output of 4 MJ per lap – meaning 33.3 seconds deployment at its full power of 160 hp. However, energy input will be limited to 2 MJ per lap, meaning drivers will only have an average of 16.6 seconds of deployment per lap, still more than today's 6.6 seconds.

16 seconds of usage in the pitlane? will that be enough especially in the longer pit lanes.

I think it's a good idea but it will be no doubt fraught with problems, KERS will need to be much more reliable to make this a viable solution!

No sudden decisions to pit, then.

"Stay out, stay out! You don't have enough juice to get through the pit lane!"

See our F1 related articles too!