Technology: Will Formula 1 bring back the two-stroke?
These are exciting times in motorsport land. In order to achieve the climate goals, motorized sports must also think about their future. Engines powered by fossil fuels are increasingly in demand and that is why many manufacturers are investing in electric propulsion systems. That is precisely why it is surprising that Formula 1 is considering the return of the two-stroke engine.
In 2021, the current V6 engines will be overhauled and there will be an evolution to make the sport less expensive and, above all, more accessible to additional engine suppliers. It is also the start of a larger step-by-step process with the ultimate goal of F1 becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Formula 1 is looking to evolve two-stroke engines that can run on eco-fuel by the middle of the decade.
The proposal would make the sport greener than electric racing series such as Formula E, while still using internal combustion engines. The current hybrid F1 engines will be replaced by new propulsion systems from 2025 or 2026. This will play an important role in Formula 1's project to achieve its targets by 2030.
"I'm very keen on it being a two-stroke“said Pat Symonds – Formula 1's Chief Technical Officer – at the Motorsport Industry Association's energy efficient motorsport conference. “Much more efficient, great exhaust sound and many of the problems with the old two-strokes are simply no longer relevant. "
The new engines will likely remain hybrid, but will be powered by synthetic fuel, made by combining hydrogen with carbon captured from the air, using excess green energy. In addition to the cars, this e-gasoline could power the planes that transport the cars and equipment to the races, significantly reducing the sport's carbon footprint.
Research shows that electric racing cars could be responsible for double the CO2 emissions of hybrid racing cars, due to the amount produced when building the batteries. “We need to look at what our future power units will look like” said Symonds. “That's what we're doing in F1 at the moment.He said the sport's pledge to continue with current engines until 2025 gives them time to ensure the next step is a really good one.
"It may be that the next power unit we produce will be the last one we do with liquid hydrocarbons" he said. “I think there is a very good chance that there is still an internal combustion engine, but maybe it runs on hydrogen. "I certainly think the internal combustion engine has a long future and I think it has a future that is longer than many politicians realize because politicians are betting everything on electric vehicles. "
"There's nothing wrong with electric vehicles, but there are reasons why they aren't the solution for everyone.Symonds said he is currently going to universities to do engine research to inform the new regulations. He said he was struck by the amount of research into two-stroke engines, which are known for their smoky and noisy performance in lawn mowers, rather than their potential at the pinnacle of motorsport.
"Direct injection, supercharging and new ignition systems have ensured that new forms of two-stroke engines are highly efficient and very emission-friendly. I think there is a good future for them."
Pat Symonds is looking to form a working group to develop the specification for the next F1 engine, which will mirror the way the 2021 chassis rules are drawn up. The teams would be encouraged to work together in an effort to keep costs down. Symonds says the synthetic fuel would be tailored to the engine, using an optimal blend of hydrocarbons, to improve efficiency and performance, while reducing particulate emissions.
The fuel would run the engine at a higher compression ratio, improving efficiency by up to 2,4 percent. Before then, the sport is looking for e-fuels that can be used in today's engines as production capacity increases. It goes without saying that this vision - if its validity is proven - will certainly be followed in other sports.
Text: Danny Hermans
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