F1 Engine Technology

Formula One (F1) engines contain some of the most advanced automotive technology in the world. Yet even non-race car drivers benefit from F1 engine technology when it trickles down to passenger cars.

  1. Current Technology

    • The sport's governing body is the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The rules established by the FIA in 2006 mandate 2.4 liter, V-8 engines, which must weigh 95 kilograms (kgs), or approximately 209 pounds. This light weight is achieved through forged aluminum construction. F1 engines rev up to 18,000 revolutions per minute (RPM) and are normally aspirated, with turbochargers not having been used since 1989. Iron crankshafts and piston rods provide durability.

    Future Technology

    • The FIA will modify its rules for the 2013 racing season. Some teams may reintroduce turbocharged engines. These might take the form of kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) turbochargers, which the Ferrari and McLaren F1 racing teams have experimented with in the past and which may become widely adopted in 2013 or possibly sooner.

    From Track to Street

    • Everyday drivers benefit from cutting-edge F1 technology. For instance, Honda's variable valve timing and lift electronic control (VTEC), which changes valve timing and lift to suit engine speeds, originally appeared on Honda's F1 cars.