The engines are amazing. They generated some 600 kilowatt at around 18,000 rpm. Compare this to your average Holden or Falcon which generated about 140 kilogram at 4,000 rpm. Actually, by the 1990s, the engines were limited to only 12,000 rpm, because of friction in the valve train. But then Renault invented pneumatically-driven valves, which let the maximum engine speed jump to 18,000 rpm.
For a decade F1 cars had run with 3.0 litre naturally-aspirated V10 engines, but in an attempt to slow the cars down, the FIA mandated that as of the 2006 season the cars must be powered by 2.4 litre naturally-aspirated engines in the V8 configuration that have no more than four valves per cylinder. Further technical restrictions such as a ban on variable intake trumpets have also been introduced with the new 2.4 L V8 formula to prevent the teams from achieving higher rpm and horsepower too quickly. As of the start of the 2007 season all engines are now limited to 19,000 rpm in an effort to improve engine reliability and to cut costs down in general.
Once the teams started using exotic alloys in the late 1990s, the FIA banned the use of exotic materials in engine construction, and only aluminum and iron alloys were allowed for the pistons, cylinders, connecting rods, and crankshafts. Nevertheless through engineering on the limit and the use of such devices as pneumatic valves, modern F1 engines have revved up to over 18,000 rpm since approximately the 2000 season. Almost each year the FIA has enforced material and design restrictions to limit power, otherwise the 3.0L V10 engines would easily have exceeded 22,000 rpm and well over 1,000 hp (745 kW). Even with the restrictions the V10s in the 2005 season were reputed to develop 960 hp (715 kW). The new 2.4L V8 engines are reported to develop between 700 hp (520 kW) and 780 hp (582 kW).
The more poorly funded teams (Ferrari spends hundreds of millions of pounds a year developing their car, while the former Minardi team spent less than 50 million) had the option of keeping the current V10 for another season, but with a rev limiter to keep them from being competitive with the most powerful V8 engines. The only team to take this option was the Toro Rosso team, which was the reformed and regrouped Minardi.
The engines produce over 100,000 BTU per minute (1,750 kW) of heat that must be dumped, usually to the atmosphere via radiators and the exhaust, which can reach temperatures over 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,800 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit). They consume around 650 liters (23 ft³) of air per second Race fuel consumption rate is normally around 75 liters per 100 kilometer traveled (3.1 US mpg - 3.8 UK mpg). Nonetheless a Formula One engine is over 20% more efficient at turning fuel into power than even the most economical small car.
All cars have the engine located between the driver and the rear axle. The engines are a stressed member in most cars, meaning that the engine is part of the structural support framework; being bolted to the cockpit at the front end, and transmission and rear suspension at the back end.
In the 2004 championship, engines were required to last a full race weekend; in the 2005 championship, they are required to last two full race weekends and if a team changes an engine between the two races, they incur a penalty of 10 grid positions. In 2007 this rule was altered slightly and an engine now only has to last for Saturday and Sunday running. This was to promote Friday running. In 2006, teams avoided running for long stints in an effort to save the engine and avoid a 10 place drop on the grid.
Formula 1 Car The Exotic Engineering
A formula 1 racing car carries some of the most exotic engineering known to humanity. The drives pilot these fascinating vehicles at speed up to 360 kph, while semi-reclining in a tub made of expensive carbon fiber, whit their backsides only a few centimeters off the road.
At full blast, a F-1 fuel pump delivers petrol faster then water flows out of your kitchen tap
