The Formula 1 Power Unit
The beating heart of the Formula 1 car, more than just an engine
The Formula 1 car is capable of reaching speeds of over 200mph and positions can be separated by milliseconds. Clearly, engine efficiency and producing extraordinary power are both of vital importance.
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When you drive a car, energy is lost through heat from the exhaust gases, heat from the engine and heat from braking, to name but a few. But what if you could convert this useless energy back into kinetic energy (the energy of movement)?
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The engineers of the formula 1 teams have turned an ordinary engine, into an extraordinary power unit.
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The MGU-K (one part of the ERS, discussed on a later page) can save up to 2 mega-joules of energy from being wasted. That is the same as 750 grams of black powder explosives.
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The MGU-H (also part of the ERS) is unrestricted by the regulations. In practice it produces 7 mega-joules of energy for the car to use as an extra power boost. [1]
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Altogether, it means formula 1 cars have smaller and lighter engines than ever.
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Per lap, the formula 1 power units produce a huge 40MJ and save 50 kg of fuel per race. [2]
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