The 2014 Formula 1 season inaugurates at the Australia Grand Prix this weekend, and it’s already looking like an exciting year ahead thanks to the introduction of the biggest technical regulation changes in Formula 1 history.
Things have changed a lot since 2013; the technical regulations are very different this season and the philosophy behind these changes is to make the new cars safer and more fuel efficient.
The amount of fuel used in a 2014 Formula 1 car has been restricted to 140 liters per Grand Prix, which is 30 per cent less compared to the 2013 machinery.
However, the biggest regulation change is the introduction of new 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 engines with higher pressure fuel injection for more complete and efficient fuel burning, and a rev limit to 15,000. The engines are mated to new eight-speed transmissions.
Engine reliability will be crucial in 2014 as teams are now allowed only five engines for the entire season compared to eight in 2013.
The Energy Recovery System (ERS), first introduced in 2009 as the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), has been enhanced and now features two motor generator units that produce an additional 160 horsepower. The new motor is powered by the flow of hot exhaust gases, while the other one still uses braking energy from the rear wheels.
Battery packs on 2014 Formula 1 cars now store 10 times the amount of energy, that’s enough for a 33-second 160-horsepower boost per lap rather than just 6.6 seconds.
Aerodynamically, the blown diffuser and beam wing are gone, the noses lowered for safety reasons and the front wings decreased in width, therefore, 2014 cars produce 20 per cent less downforce.
Who are the biggest losers and winners of the new technical era? We’ll find out in a few days.
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