FIA confirms latest proposals for 2011

[Zytek_Fan]

Originally Posted by Crash.net

The FIA has released its latest set of proposals on how Formula 1 will change from 2011 - and amongst the 'proposals' are plans to allow moving aerodynamic devices and adopt greener ‘pump-legal bio-fuel'.

Although the changes outlined are not a ‘definite statement of the FIA's position' and are ‘intended to facilitate ongoing discussions' a number of themes, which keep cropping up, can be recognised including: improving the racing, making the sport more environmentally friendly, cutting costs, making it more relevant to future road car development and further improving safety.

The key proposals received in a report to the World Motor Sport Council include:

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 turbo-charging 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 One 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 de-sensitise 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 litre, 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 per cent 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 per cent reduction in fuel consumed.

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

- standardisation 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.

All I can say is I absolutely do not want to see 4 cylinder engines in F1

[Rockefella]

Originally Posted by Zytek_Fan

All I can say is I absolutely do not want to see 4 cylinder engines in F1

I'm not a huge fan of these changes either, but if turbos are allowed (not sure if the article mentioned it), then I guess it wouldn't hurt.

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by Rockefella

I'm not a huge fan of these changes either, but if turbos are allowed (not sure if the article mentioned it), then I guess it wouldn't hurt.

They already were around in the turbo era. And the cars were more powerful than ever.

I frankly couldn't care less.

[LotusLocost]

- no RPM or boost limit

I don't know how to that enterprete that.

Why not I4's in F1?
Formula 1 is supposed to be ground-braking and experimental.
To be so, drastic changes has to be set to change the sport to be ground-braking again. Changing the rules dramatically isn't anything new in F1, it has been done since the very beginning of the sport.

I would personally love to see them push anything from 400 to 800 hp out of an 1300 ccm I 4

[Zytek_Fan]

Originally Posted by LotusLocost

I don't know how to that enterprete that.

Why not I4's in F1?
Formula 1 is supposed to be ground-braking and experimental.
To be so, drastic changes has to be set to change the sport to be ground-braking again. Changing the rules dramatically isn't anything new in F1, it has been done since the very beginning of the sport.

I would personally love to see them push anything from 400 to 800 hp out of an 1300 ccm I 4

AER can already get 600bhp out of their unrestricted I4 P2 engine...


If they want to go the turbo route, why not use turbo V8s, like the Cosworth engines used in Champ Car?

[Jack_Bauer]

Originally Posted by Zytek_Fan

If they want to go the turbo route, why not use turbo V8s, like the Cosworth engines used in Champ Car?

Because they are looking for improved efficiency and fuel consumption, and also to keep the power and speed reasonably sensible.

Personally I like the ideas for engine regs. At the moment the possibility for any kind of variation or originality in engine design is virtually non-existant. Giving them a small capacity but freedom in terms of induction will change that completely. If they had freedom of induction type on the current V8 engines the power would just be ridiculous and they would have to limit them, thus negating the point.

This way there should still be big power capabilities but with some capacity for ingenuity and interesting design.

[Zytek_Fan]

Originally Posted by Jack_Bauer

Because they are looking for improved efficiency and fuel consumption, and also to keep the power and speed reasonably sensible.

Personally I like the ideas for engine regs. At the moment the possibility for any kind of variation or originality in engine design is virtually non-existant. Giving them a small capacity but freedom in terms of induction will change that completely. If they had freedom of induction type on the current V8 engines the power would just be ridiculous and they would have to limit them, thus negating the point.

This way there should still be big power capabilities but with some capacity for ingenuity and interesting design.

I didn't mean the current V8s.

[Jack_Bauer]

Originally Posted by Zytek_Fan

I didn't mean the current V8s.

But to make forced induction workable the capacity needs to be very small. What would be the point in making a 1.3 litre V8? Far more sensible and easy to engineer I4s.

[Zytek_Fan]

Originally Posted by Jack_Bauer

But to make forced induction workable the capacity needs to be very small. What would be the point in making a 1.3 litre V8? Far more sensible and easy to engineer I4s.

What, one like this? (see attached image)


F1 could use GP2 V8 engines. Just slap on a turbo and away it goes!

[ScionDriver]

I do somewhat like the idea, although it'd be weird to have I4s in F1 I think that if there were some no limit areas it would be really cool to see what teams could come up with, forced induction, etc. Im all for that.

[The_Canuck]

Originally Posted by Zytek_Fan

What, one like this? (see attached image)

Drop it in a civic!

[kingofthering]

I think F1 would be better off with displacement limits. I want to see other engines like rotaries, or diesels (please don't), or hybrids(not the gas-electric kind),and they could have those damn rules that limit spending.

[Quiggs]

Turbo I4's? Sounds like VW needs to get in on this. 20 valve turbo ftmfw.

[Kitdy]

I think these rules could make it really interesting. There were inline 4's in F1 before so I don't see why it'd be bad now. Turbos back could be cool,no boost or RPM limit could mean absolute CRAZINESS, and it may be neat. The idea of a four banger is kinda lame but maybe then the races will be more exciting to watch, I think the movable aero-downforce is very exciting and we should see some great ideas come from that.

Originally Posted by Ferrer

They already were around in the turbo era. And the cars were more powerful than ever.

I frankly couldn't care less.

Why may I ask? F1 hater?

Originally Posted by LotusLocost

I don't know how to that enterprete that.

Why not I4's in F1?
Formula 1 is supposed to be ground-braking and experimental.
To be so, drastic changes has to be set to change the sport to be ground-braking again. Changing the rules dramatically isn't anything new in F1, it has been done since the very beginning of the sport.

I would personally love to see them push anything from 400 to 800 hp out of an 1300 ccm I 4

Agreed.

Originally Posted by kingofthering

I think F1 would be better off with displacement limits. I want to see other engines like rotaries, or diesels (please don't), or hybrids(not the gas-electric kind),and they could have those damn rules that limit spending.

It would be cool to have a return to different engine configurations but the way the teams work everyone would probably analyze it and end up going with all the same configuration anyways. They are too clever I think.

Originally Posted by Quiggs

Turbo I4's? Sounds like VW needs to get in on this. 20 valve turbo ftmfw.

No doubt.

[Zytek_Fan]

Originally Posted by kingofthering

I think F1 would be better off with displacement limits. I want to see other engines like rotaries, or diesels (please don't), or hybrids(not the gas-electric kind),and they could have those damn rules that limit spending.

The FIA banned rotary engines.