Simulating the complete 2014 hybrid electric Formula 1 cars

In 2014 a new powertrain specification was introduced in to Formula 1. This new specification changed the internal combustion engine to be a 1.6 litre V6 turbocharged spark ignition engine with increased use of Energy Recovery Systems (ERS) in the form of crank and turbo-shaft motor generators, battery and associated cooling and controllers. Fuel flow limits and a limit on the total amount of fuel that can be used in the race means that efficiency of the systems has become a key focus during the development of the 2014 cars. The reduction in engine size and power from the previous season's 2.4L V8s means that the teams now rely much more strongly on the electrical energy from the ERS system to make up for the reduced internal combustion engine performance. In this work we show how a complete physical vehicle model with fully integrated subsystems (powertrain, chassis, etc) can be simulated to yield information on the consequences of a range of ERS (Energy Recovery System) configurations.