List of Formula One engines

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Since its inception in 1947, Formula 1 has used a variety of engine regulations. The origin of the name Formula comes from the use of a maximum engine capacity and single weight regulation. "Formulas" limiting engine capacity had been used in Grand Prix racing on a regular basis since after World War I. The engine formulae are divided according to era.

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How they work

F1 engines are phenomenal pieces of engineering. Producing 900 bhp from a 3 litre engine isn't easy, and with the engine reaching 19,000 rpm at some points it's hard to understand how they work. Until the 1980s, the metal valve springs limited rpm to about 12,000. Since the 1990s, they were replaced by pressured air, allowing for revs over 20,000.

Otherwise, the rpm-level of an engine is determined by 3 things: displacement, stroke, and available air. The displacement is how much air each cylinder can draw in one complete engine cycle, an engine with a larger bore can draw more air/fuel to combust. The stroke is the distance the piston travels in one revolution. If it only has a short distance to travel, then it can rotate more times per second than the equivalent piston with a longer stroke. The more air is available the more fuel can be combusted, keeping the pistons revolving.

To obtain such high rpms the F1 engine uses a number of factors. Firstly they use a very small stroke; the distance the piston moves is small compared to conventional engines. The stroke of an F1 engine is at 45 mm approximately half as big as the bore (90 mm). The engine is also well balanced and extremely precise, this means it has low friction and can rev higher. Because of the short stroke, the engine produces very little torque compared for its power output, but still quite good torque compared to its displacement. Ordinarily this would be a problem, but as F1 cars weigh at least 600 kg and six or more gears are available, very little torque is needed. It also means that below 10,000 rpm the car has very little power, it's only above this where the car can utilise its full power and acceleration.

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1947-1953

This era used pre-war voiturette engine regulations, with 4.5 L atmospheric and 1.5 L supercharged engines. Formula 2 cars were allowed, and the World Championship was run under F2 rules in 1952 and 1953, but F1 races were still held in those years. The Indianapolis 500 used pre-war Grand Prix regulations, with 4.5 L atmospheric and 3.0 L supercharged engines.

Power range up to 390 hp
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1954-1960

Engine size was reduced for 2.5 L. 750 cc supercharged cars were allowed but no constructor built one for the World Championship. The Indianapolis 500 continued to use old pre-war regulations.

Power range up to 290 hp
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1961-1965

Introduced in 1961 amidst some criticism, the new reduced engine 1.5 L formula took control of F1 just as every team and manufacturer switched from front to mid-engined cars. Although these were initially underpowered, five years later average power had increased by nearly 50%. Lap times were better than in 1960 anyway. The old 2.5 L formula had been retained for International Formula racing, but this didn't achieve much success until the introduction of the Tasman Series in Australia and New Zealand during the winter season, leaving the 1.5 L cars as the fastest single seaters in Europe during this time.

Power range 150 - 225 hp
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1966-1986

In 1966, with sports cars capable of outrunning Formula 1 cars thanks to much larger and more powerful engines, the FIA increased engine capacity to 3.0 L atmospheric and 1.5 L supercharged engines. Although a few manufacturers had been clamoring for bigger engines, the transition wasn't smooth and 1966 was a transitional year. The appearance of the standard-produced Cosworth DFV in 1967 made it possible for any small manufacturer to join the series with a home-built tub. Supercharging was allowed for the first time since 1960, but it wasn't until 1977 that it became viable, when Renault debuted their new Gordini V6 Turbo. In 1969, Lotus made a few unsuccessful experiments with a Pratt & Whitney turbine fitted to chassis which had also 4WD.

Power range 390 to 500 hp, turbos 500 to 900 in race, in qualifiying up to 1300 hp
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1987-1988

3.5 L formula / 1.5 L turbo

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1989-1994

3.5 L formula.

Power range up to 750 hp
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1995-2004

3.0 L formula.

Power range 650 to 950 hp
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2005

3.0 L V10, 4 valves per cylinder

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2006

For 2006, the engines must be 90° V8 of 2.4 litres maximum capacity with a 98 mm maximum circular bore, which imply a 39.7 mm minimum stroke. They have two inlet and two exhaust circular valves per cylinder, are normally-aspirated and must have a 95 kg minimum weight. Previous year's engines with a rev-limiter are permitted for 2006 and 2007 for teams who can't obtain a competitive V8.

Pre-cooling air before it enters the cylinders, injection of any substance other than air and fuel into the cylinders, variable-geometry intake and exhaust systems, variable valve timing are forbidden. Each cylinder can have only one fuel injector and a single plug spark ignition. Separate starting devices are used to start engines in the pits and on the grid.

The crankcase and cylinder block must be made of cast or wrought aluminium alloys. The crankshaft and camshafts must be made from an iron alloy, pistons from an aluminium alloy and valves from alloys based on iron, nickel, cobalt or titanium. The complete rules are available from the FIA Formula One world chamionship regulations, 2006 Formula One technical regulations (pdf), chapter five, 15 december 2005.

This is leading to a power reduction of around 20% from the three litre engines. For example, Toyota F1 announces an approximately 740 hp output at 19000 rpm in its new RVX-06 engine <ref>TOYOTA F1 technologies, TF106 Specification, 14 january 2006</ref>, but real figures are of course difficult to obtain.

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References

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