List of Formula One engines

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Since its inception in 1947, Formula One has used a variety of engine regulations. The origin of the name Formula comes from the use of a maximum engine capacity and single weight regulation. "Formulas" limiting engine capacity had been used in Grand Prix racing on a regular basis since after World War I. The engine formulae are divided according to era.

Contents

[edit] Operation

Formula One currently uses four-stroke V8, naturally-aspirated reciprocating engines. They typically produce 300 horsepower per litre of displacement, far higher than most internal combustion engines. For comparison, the naturally-aspirated piston engine production car with the most specific power is the Honda S2000 engine with 92kW (125PS) per litre.

Formula 1 engines derive their power through their ability to operate at a very high rotational speeds, up to 20,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). This contrasts with road car engines of a similar size which operate safely at typically less than 7,000 RPM. However, the torque (turning power at a given speed) of a Formula 1 engine is not much higher than a conventional petrol engine. For example, the 2.4 litre toyota engine producing 544 kw (740 PS) at 19000 RPM, outputs 274 N.m thus a 14,3 bar mean effective pressure. This is comparable with the 14,3bar maximum MEP of the 2003 BMW E46 M3 CSL, the best production car in this respect, although the F1 torque value is perhaps higher at a lower rotational speed.

Consequently, high power is obtained in making the engines turn faster, a goal sought ever since research into performance engines began. The configuration of naturally aspirated engines has not been greatly modified since the Cosworth DFV, and their mean effective pressure stayed around 14 bars.[1] Until the 1980s, the metal valve springs limited revoltions to about 12,000 per minute, but since the 1990s they have been replaced by pressurised air, allowing up to 20,000 rpm.

The stroke is the distance the piston travels in one revolution. A shorter stroke enables a higher rotating speed at a constant mean piston speed, also made possible in part by advances in metallurgy to withstand the accelerations. Shortening the stroke however, implies enlarging the bore, resulting in a less efficient combustion chamber. The stroke of an F1 engine is approximately 40 mm, less than half as long as the bore is wide (98 mm), in an "over-square" configuration.

[edit] 1947-1953

This era used pre-war voiturette engine regulations, with 4.5 L atmospheric and 1.5 L supercharged engines. Formula 2 cars were allowed, and the World Championship was run under F2 rules in 1952 and 1953, but F1 races were still held in those years. The Indianapolis 500 used pre-war Grand Prix regulations, with 4.5 L atmospheric and 3.0 L supercharged engines.

Power range up to 425 hp

[edit] 1954-1960

Engine size was reduced for 2.5 L. 750 cc supercharged cars were allowed but no constructor built one for the World Championship. The Indianapolis 500 continued to use old pre-war regulations.

Power range up to 290 hp

[edit] 1961-1965

Introduced in 1961 amidst some criticism, the new reduced engine 1.5 L formula took control of F1 just as every team and manufacturer switched from front to mid-engined cars. Although these were initially underpowered, five years later average power had increased by nearly 50%. Lap times were better than in 1960 anyway. The old 2.5 L formula had been retained for International Formula racing, but this didn't achieve much success until the introduction of the Tasman Series in Australia and New Zealand during the winter season, leaving the 1.5 L cars as the fastest single seaters in Europe during this time.

Power range 150 - 225 hp

[edit] 1966-1986

In 1966, with sports cars capable of outrunning Formula 1 cars thanks to much larger and more powerful engines, the FIA increased engine capacity to 3.0 L atmospheric and 1.5 L supercharged engines. Although a few manufacturers had been clamoring for bigger engines, the transition wasn't smooth and 1966 was a transitional year. The appearance of the standard-produced Cosworth DFV in 1967 made it possible for any small manufacturer to join the series with a home-built tub. Supercharging was allowed for the first time since 1960, but it wasn't until 1977 that it became viable, when Renault debuted their new Gordini V6 Turbo. In 1969, Lotus made a few unsuccessful experiments with a Pratt & Whitney turbine fitted to chassis which had also 4WD.

Power range 390 to 500 hp, turbos 500 to 900 in race, in qualifiying up to 1500 hp

[edit] 1987-1988

3.5 L formula / 1.5 L turbo

FIA regulations limited boost pressure for two seasons before the eventual ban of forced induction.

Power estimates of 500-800bhp

[edit] 1989-1994

3.5 L formula.

Power range up to 750 hp

[edit] 1995-2004

3.0 L formula.

Power range 650 to 950 hp

[edit] 2005

3.0 L V10, Engine may have no more than 5 valves per cylinder[2]

[edit] 2006

For 2006, the engines must be 90° V8 of 2.4 litres maximum capacity with a 98 mm maximum circular bore, which imply a 39.7 mm minimum stroke. They have two inlet and two exhaust circular valves per cylinder, are normally-aspirated and must have a 95 kg minimum weight. Previous year's engines with a rev-limiter are permitted for 2006 and 2007 for teams who can't obtain a competitive V8.

Pre-cooling air before it enters the cylinders, injection of any substance other than air and fuel into the cylinders, variable-geometry intake and exhaust systems, variable valve timing are forbidden. Each cylinder can have only one fuel injector and a single plug spark ignition. Separate starting devices are used to start engines in the pits and on the grid.

The crankcase and cylinder block must be made of cast or wrought aluminium alloys. The crankshaft and camshafts must be made from an iron alloy, pistons from an aluminium alloy and valves from alloys based on iron, nickel, cobalt or titanium. The complete rules are available from the FIA Formula One world championship regulations. [3]

This is leading to a power reduction of around 20% from the three litre engines. For example, Toyota F1 announces an approximately 740 hp output at 19000 rpm in its new RVX-06 engine [4], but real figures are of course difficult to obtain.

[edit] 2007-2008

For 2007 engine freezing has been introduced to keep development costs down. The engines which were used in the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix, will be used for the 2007 and 2008 seasons.


[edit] Future engines

While there is currently an engine freeze that effectively bans constructors from developing new engines, there is much speculation on the engine regulations once the freeze is lifted. The FIA and FOM have made statements indicating that both want F1 to be more environmentally friendly and at the same time, be on the front line of future engine development. There is also speculation of a return to turbocharged engines based on comments made by the FIA on finding ways to effectively harness waste heat energy from the cars exhausts.

[edit] References

  1. ^ F1 Engine Power Secrets, Ian Bamsey, June 2000 RACER magazine
  2. ^ FIA 2005 Regulations, 2005 Formula One technical regulations (pdf)
  3. ^ 2006 Formula One technical regulations (pdf), chapter five, 15 December 2005
  4. ^ TOYOTA F1 technologies, TF106 Specification, 14 January 2006
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