F1 Engines

In order to win races and keep a competitive edge, F1 engines must be uniquely designed to provide maximum performance with greatest longevity. Historically, engines that were built for F1 racing were not built to last much longer than a single race. Today, FIA regulations stipulations require engines to not fall apart never to be used again. However, even with all the technology available to racing teams, engine failure is the most common reason cars are sidelined.

The specifications as well as the standards for F1 engines have changed many times since F1 races first began. One hundred bhp per litre was the expected output of a F1 engine over fifty years ago. Some fluctuations in output occurred since then. Now, the standard output is closer to 300 bhp per litre using a 2.4 litre V8 engine. Engines today can use 650 litres of air per second. In a race, the modern engine will use about 75 litres for each 100 kilometers.

It's tempting to think that regular car engines bare any resemblance to the modern day F1 engine. Unfortunately, regular cars aren't capable of the same speed with typical car engines. Since reducing drag is a very important part of this sport, engines are built much smaller than normal car engines. Formula one engines also take up less space.

Gearboxes are another feature attached to F1 engines. The gears are typically housed behind the steering wheel to make driving a lot less taxing for the driver in terms of his attention. Seven speed gearboxes are most common now. Transmissions on an F1 engine are connected straight to the engine and utilize electronic controls.

The type of energy, or fuel, that's put into an engine isn't really an important factor for F1 engines. In fact, normal gasoline is used on the track to refuel cars. The gasoline is similar to that bought at a local gas station. The only time fuel really becomes an important part of an F1 engines' life is during diagnostics. Mechanics on a team look in the leftover fuel and oil left in the engine to see what metals appear there. This demonstrates the rate of which the engine is being worn.

The FIA, standing for Federation of International Automobiles, in an effort to curb illegal rigging of F1 engines, has put in place penalties for those who create expensive, wear and tare engines. Since 2005, the FIA has will give a penalty of ten places in a race if a teams' engine fails to make it through two grand prix.

The modern F1 engine is an amazing piece of machinery. With almost 5,000 parts composing the whole engine, it's not hard to see how expensive one really is. The speed and power that race cars are able to achieve are due in part to the 20,000 revolutions that the engine can make every minute. Formula one engines have come a long way and with their continuing evolutions, so too will evolve the sport closed track racing.